mcminnville oregon business history 1895-1910

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Researched and Compiled by Brian Richardson

A collaborative project in association with Linfield College and The Yamhill County Historical Socie

An Extensive Analysis of the Business and Economic Clima

of McMinnville, Oregon from 1895-1910

Produced 2010



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Produced2010.Revised2013.

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A Brief History

Banks

Barbers

Blacksmiths

Butchers

Cigar Industry

Dentists

Druggists

Dry Goods

Furniture Merchants

Grocery Stores

Hardware Stores

Hotels

Jewelers

Laundry Services

Livery

Mills

Photographer

Physician / Surgeon

Saloon

The Purchasing Public

Works Cited

A word from the Author

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Table of Contents



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! McMinnville’s economic beginnings can be traced to the grist millof William T. Newby, who built his mill in 1853 after getting permission of

the territorial legislature to turn some of the water from Baker Creek intoCozine Creek by means of a ditch. The mill was located at the foot of thirdstreet in the current site of city park. In 1854, Sebastian Adams remarkedto Newby that the area just east of his mill would provide an excellentposition for a town. Newby was landowner of that tract of land, and

offered to provide the land so long as Adamswould headline the legal process of startingthe town. Within a couple years the surveyprocess was complete, and Newby chose thename McMinnville after his hometown of McMinnville, Tennessee. The first business onthird street was Solomon Berry’s general

merchandise store, which operated out of alog building at the corner of Baker and Third.Samuel Cozine operated the town’s first blacksmith shopopposite Berry’s establishment. The presence of established businesses soon attracted permanent settlers, who farmed thefertile land and opened their own businesses and publicinstitutions. By 1866 McMinnville had five stores, three blacksmith shops, two wagon shphotographic artist, one silversmith, one shoe shop, two doctors, two churches, and one fl

McMinnville’s rapid growth received an additional boost in 1879 when a rail line was constructed through the town, cocitizens to Portland and Corvallis. The town was incorporated in 1876. Nearby Lafayette had held the position of countyyears prior, yet in 1886 the citizens of McMinnville banded together and voted McMinnville as Yamhill County’s county vote brought the quick construction of the 9000 square foot county court house, thus expanding McMinnville’s economic by providing a government sector. By 1900 the town had extended its boundaries to encompass more than thirty times itsplatted site, and the population had grown to 1,420 people.! Why study the period 1895 to 1910 in particular? For one, it was a period marked by strong growth throughout thwas from 1885 to 1910 that the city experienced the greatest rate of growth. Construction of two and three story buildincommon occurrence on third street, replacing the original wooden structures that no longer could withstand the town’s ecapacity. The city’s hopes were high, and prominent businessmen in every sector of the economy built fine homes in the exneighborhoods surrounding third street. The railroad that connected McMinnville to the outside world allowed for merceasily offer a wide variety of both local and national products, thus providing the city’s citizens with the most up-to-date satisfy both their needs and wants. It indeed was a glorious time for the city and perhaps the perfect manifestation of the dthose who came west in the years prior. It was a time period represented by man’s coexistence with his natural surroundinhindered and supported by the the natural resources abundant

throughout Oregon’s upper Willamette Valley. While in retrospect itmay look like a much simpler time, McMinnville citizens of the erawould likely call it the most exciting in America’s development,offering each and every citizen the potential for great success inevery industry imaginable. We are quick to become disillusionedabout the past, perceiving history as largely distant and foreign. Yetthe following pages will likely shatter these preconceived notions byillustrating the striking similarities between the McMinnville citizenin 1900 and the average resident over 100 years later.

A Brief History of McMinnville

Acityoverviewfroman1892insurancemap.Thirdstreetrunright(westtoeast)beneaththe

2and3.

WilliamNewby,city

Right:ThirdStreetcirca1900



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The Bank in McMinnville! Prior to the 1880’s there was no bank west of the river in the Willamette Valley.This all changed when the enterprising Wortman family opened the First National Bank in McMinnville in 1883. The Yamhill County Bank was formed two years later in 1885, becoming the McMinnville National Bank in 1888. In 1894 the Oregonian’s Handbook of

the Pacific Northwest noted that McMinnville “has two strong banks, the First Nationaland the McMinnville National. Both of these banks have a capital stock of $50,000.” In1910 Arthur McPhillips and George Briedwell started a third bank, the United StatesNational Bank. This bank also proved to be successful and in 1929 merged with

McMinnville National Bank.McMinnville National Bank! McMinnville National Bank was originally called Yamhill County Bank, built1885 at the corner of 3rd and Cowls. In 1888 it became McMinnville National withresources of $75,000. By 1906 the bank had gone through a massive growth spurt, boasting resources of over $500,000. As mentioned in the Yamhill County Reporter, “thegrowth of this bank is the best evidence that the services rendered and the facilitiesoffered meet the requirements of the farmer, hop-grower, merchant and individual.” In1906 the President of the bank was Lee Laughlin, Vice President Edwin Apperson, andcashier Walter Link. Edwin Clyde Apperson was originally employed as bookkeeperfor the bank when it first opened to the public on April 2, 1888. In April 1892 he was

named cashier and was director by 1896. He reached the position of Vice President in1903 and moved on to president in 1908. McMinnville National Bank merged with U.S.National Bank in 1929, at which time Apperson continued as president of theconsolidated institution. He passed away in 1946 at the age of 76, leaving behind astrong legacy of involvement both in the banking industry as well as the generalcommunity, serving as treasurer of Linfield College and one of the founders of theOregon Mutual Insurance Company. Cashier Link Walter joined the bank staff in the1890’s as cashier. He would stay with the company for over three decades, reaching theheight of Vice President before retiring in 1929 upon the bank’s merger with the UnitedStates National Bank. After a seven year absence from the industry, he joined FirstNational Bank in 1936.

!

BanksSeveral local banks spurred the economic development of McMinnville throug

providing loans and a reliable storage of capital

Above:McMinnvilleNationalBathecornerof3rdandCowl

Below:Acirca1900advertisemeMcMinnvilleNationalthatappea

theYamhillCountyReporte

Above:An1892mapshowingtheof3rdandDaviswhereMcMinnNationalwaslocated.Notethatpracticallyenvelopedbysurrou

businesses.

FarLeft:A19-teensadvertisemeMcMinnvilleNational

Left:Anearlystreetviewofthetakeninthe1890’s.NextdooraBossandGemSaloons,whileabo

bankistheofficeofsurgeonGoucher.



S E C T I O N F O U R

First National Bank

! The First National Bank was founded by Jacob Wortman in 1883. Wortman was born in 1827 in Ohio. In 1852, at the age of 25, Wortman crossed the plains by ox-team fromMissouri. After a series of odd jobs in Oregon, he obtained a donation land claim on the banks of the river above Oregon City and started a grocery store in that town. Throughsmart business and additional acquisitions Jacob was able to increase his holdings to about$40,000 by 1880. It was about this time that he and his son John shifted their interests to the banking industry, with the ultimate desire of starting a bank in a developing area that

lacked such an establishment. They initially scoped out Lafayette, but were soonpersuaded to bring their services to nearby McMinnville instead. It took about a year to getthe bank ready for service, including the shipment of a strong box and vault door toMcMinnville. The bank opened on December 3, 1883, yet it was not for another five daysuntil the bank received its first customer in the form of Mrs. L.J. Cook, who deposited $20.! Wortman officially incorporated his bank in 1885 with a capital of $50,000. Thefollowing year he erected a large brick structure at the southwest corner of 3rd and Davis. Jacob made his son John manager of the bank about this time, with Jacob himself committing more time towards other business ventures. John Wortman had married MissElla Washburn in 1881 and in due time she gave birth to three sons- Ralph, Frank, andFred. In 1890 John and family moved to Portland for a short while, once again making Jacob President of the bank. John and family soon returned to McMinnville, and at this

time John organized the First Loan and Savings bank in McMinnville with himself aspresident and his son Frank as secretary. Jacob Wortman continued as president of FirstNational, which by 1898 had resources worth $240,499.12. In that year Mr. Ed Hendrickswas Vice President, Mr. John Evenden cashier and Mr. E.M.Underwood assistant cashier.The bank only continued to grow throughout the twentieth century, serving as acornerstone of the McMinnville community.

!

B A N K S

Above:JacobWortman

Below:JohnWortman

Above:JohnWortmanworkingcashier,withyoungsonRalphpe

aroundfrombehind

Below:TheoriginalheavysafesuFirstNationalBank

Above:An1890’sadvertisementforFirstNational

Below:Thisearly1890’sphotographshowsagroupoflocalmeninfrontofthebank.JacobWortmanisdressedinblackinthecenterofthegroup.OtherrecognizablecharactersincludeKarlGrissen(secondfromleft),

OrangeHodson(#12),andSheriffWarrenNeal(farright).



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The McMinnville Blacksmith

! As long as there were horses, there was a need for a blacksmith. Bydefinition a blacksmith is a person that makes and repairs things in iron by hand,and thus the scope of their industry was well beyond horseshoes. However,horseshoes compromised a major part of their business and certainly wasmentioned in every advertisement released by blacksmiths. One of McMinnville’soriginal founders, Samuel Cozine, opened a blacksmith shop about whereLinfield College stands today. Another blacksmithing pioneer in the city was Mr.C.D.Johnson. Johnson came to McMinnville from Canada in 1865 and opened a blacksmith shop. He improved his business over the years and at one time wasrunning two shops before selling out to a Mr. Sutherland in 1897. He was mayorof McMinnville and served diligently in City Council. After getting out of the blacksmith trade he briefly made and sold buggies and carriages before heading

to Alaska with his son to find gold. He eventually returned to McMinnville andopened a general merchandise business.! Another successful blacksmith was David Fletcher, who operated a blacksmith shop across third street from the Yamhill Hotel until the ElbertonHotel was constructed on the site in 1905. His advertisement from 1898 is shownto the right. Also prominent in the industry was Edward Sutherland, whoadvertised in 1892 “E.F. Sutherland, Practical Horse Shoer. Draft, track or road horses.

A specialty made of treating horses’ feet. Shop corner of third and E. Sts.” It was he whoin 1897 purchased the Johnson Blacksmith shop on B street. As noted in theYamhill County Reporter , “his anvil is heard to ring from early morn till dewy eve.” The1900 census lists several additional blacksmiths; William Morris, William Boath,Armand Flobier, D.B. Cass, Warren Neal, Edgar Cox, Henry Grinnuld, and J.M.Brown. While some of these men may have had a shop in town, others likelywere a blacksmith by trade but out of work due to the condition of established blacksmiths already dispersed throughout McMinnville.

The Blacksmith

Top:C.D.Johnson’sBlacksmithcompoundonBstreetasitappeare

1892.Notethatheinterspersedblacksmithshopswithwagonsho

andacarriagerepairshop.Alsoshisanadhereleasedabout1899

Above:D.C.Fletcher’s1898ad,nothisabilitytohorseshoefortrack

road

Left:G.J.Scott’sMcMinnvilleblacksmithshopinthe19-teens.Attimethehorseshoetradewasquicdissipatingduetotheemergenceoautomobile.Blacksmithssoonfouthemselvesoutofworkandforced



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BarbersThe McMinnville barber shop was the primary place for men of the community

stay in touch with their neighbors

The Barber Shop in McMinnville! The word barber comes from the latin barba, meaning beard. In 1900 it wasvery common for men to sport a beard, and thus there was high demand to keep itmaintained. Without the luxuries of safety razors and electric trimmers, men wouldmake the jaunt down to the barber shop on a highly regular basis.The barber shop in1900 was the favorite gathering place for men to hear what was going on around thecommunity. As was normal for the time period, it was strictly a man’s domain, andwomen were rarely seen. McMinnville always has had a few barbers located nearthird street. In 1902, George Bradley operated his barber shop near the corner of thirdand Cowls (picture at right), while the other two barber shops were located practicallyacross from each other near the corner of 3rd and Evans. The most successful of allMcMinnville barber shops was The McMinnville Baths and Tonsorial, which wasoperated by a number of men over the years. Additionally, Samuel Gaunt andWaverlon Wardle operated their own unassociated shops around 1900. Very little isknown about their establishments, and by 1911 they both are no longer listed in citydirectories.

The McMinnville Baths and Tonsorial

! The McMinnville Baths and Tonsorial parlor was originally started by CharlesH. Fleming in the 1880‘s during his early twenties. Hailing from Michigan, Fleming became a partner in 1888 with Oregon native WIlliam Logan. When they first started,

business practices were relatively archaic. There was no water or plumbing system intown and bathing facilities usually consisted of the family wooden wash tub broughtinto the kitchen and placed before the cook stove on Saturday night. The barber shopsinstalled tin bathtubs and heated water by a coal oil stove and catered to men whowanted to bathe all stretched out in a new fangled bathtub. In those days this was avital addition to the barbers income. Business was stable, and by 1892 newtechnologies allowed for advancements in the industry, such as hot and cold showersin ready supply. An 1892 advertisement reads, “Haircutting,shaving, and in fact

everythinginthetonsoriallinedonewithneatnessanddispatch.Ourbathsarethe:inestin

thecity;hotandcoldshowersalways ready.Remembertheplace,next tothePostOf:ice.”

In the late 1890‘s Charles Fleming left the barber business and became a clerk for theR. Jacobson Store, where he stayed until it was purchased by Frank Nayberger. In the

meantime, William Logan partnered with his younger brother of thirteen years Frank Logan. Frank and William continued as the successful brother proprietors of TheMcMinnville Baths & Tonsorial Parlor for a good number of years. In 1900, 38 year-oldGeorge Bradley of Tennessee was also employed with the Logan Brothers. By 1904 hehad moved out and started his own barber shop, rightfully named G.W.BradleyBarber Shop. It was located near 3rd and Cowls and advertised hot and cold baths,shaving and haircutting in the latest style. Interestingly, he also advertised “Ladies

Shampoo a Specialty”, indicating that he also catered his business to women.

This1902SanbornFireInsuranceshowsthecornerofthirdandC whereBradleyoperatedhisbar

Above:Agrainyearly1890’sphoto WilliamFleming(center)andChFleming(right)infrontoftheir

shop.

Below:Alate1890’sadvertisement

byWilliamLogan




B A R B E R S

! On July 12th, 1901, the Logan Brothers hired young Pete Maloney as theirnewest barber. His father was the county recorder and he considered McMinnville hishome. As Maloney would later recall, he started as an apprentice offering haircuts for25 cents and a shave for fifteen cents. Maloney would outlast the Logan Brothers andstay in the business a remarkable 60 years. Over the years he cut hair for sixgenerations of the Wortman’s, a family of prominent McMinnville bankers. When hestarted as a barber in 1901, there were a total five phones in the city and noautomobiles. As Maloney remembered, “Young men who came in to get ‘slicked up’

for a social event might be preparing to take their girl on a big afternoon- two 10 centsodas and then a five cent bag of peanuts to eat while watching the train come in atthe McMinnville station.” In 1918, Frank Logan died of a stroke, and by this time his brother William had pursued other ventures in the phone business.

! WilliamLogan,late1800’s

Above:TheinteriorofLoganBros.around1900.Notetheshavingmugsonthefarwallandvariousshampoobottles

ontheleft

Below:InterioroftheMcMinnvilleBathsandTonsorialParlorpriorto1910.Maloneyisfarthesttotheleft.

Above:LoganandMaloneyreleasedadvertisementin1904.

Below:Thiscirca1910cobaltbarber

likelycontainedshampoo.ItwasrecoaMcMinnvillelandfill.




B A R B E R S

Hair-Related Products of the earl 1900’s

Ayer’s Hair VigorProduced by the massive Dr. J.C. Ayer &Co. of Lowell, Massachusetts, Ayer’s HairVigor was a popular product advertisedto “Restore gray hair to its original colorand vitality.” As an oil-based product, itclaimed to allay irritation, restore naturaloils, and give the hair an exquisite andlasting perfume. The cobalt blue bottlethat contained the product is particularlyexquisite itself.

Rosewood Dandruff Cure

The J.R. Reeves Company of Anderson,Indiana put out the Rosewood Dandruff Cure. Dandruff cures were particularlypopular in the Victorian era, and mostoften “cured” the flaky scalp by

perforating it with a relentless supply of oils. This particular example wasuncovered in McMinnville in 2009.

Luxor Dandruff EliminatorPut out by the Blumauer-Frank Companyof Portland, LUXOR Hair Stimulator andDandruff Eradicator was a locally-produced hair tonic around 1900. It is afairly uncommon product and was neversold outside of the Pacific Northwest.

Parisian Hair SageParisian Hair Sage was a hair tonic putout by the Giroux Mfg. Co. of Buffalo,New York. It was advertised around 1910as “scalp treatment”, which essentially isshampoo. The bottles are light lavender

in color and several examples have beenfound locally.

Parker’s Hair BalsParker’s Hair Balsam was a very national brand released by the Hisof New York. It was advertised tocolor to gray or discolored hairfalling of the hair”, and remove daThis product was sold very succfor a long period of time.

Barber shops, druggists and dry goods shops regularly peddled hair related products. Here are a few

popular products with recorded sale and use in the McMinnville area.



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The Butcher in McMinnville!

McMinnville has historically had a surprisingly high turnover rate of butchers.It seems as though every year between 1895 and 1910 a different set of butchersadvertised their services in The Yamhill County Reporter. The cornerstone of the industryin McMinnville was Adolph Matthies, an immigrant from Germany. Mr. Matthies cameto Oregon in 1870 and soon found himself in McMinnville, where he opened a meatmarket with a Mr. J.R.Booth. Matthies and Booth operated City Market, located on thesouth side of third street between B and C. Advertisements from the 1890’s describethem as “wholesale dealers in beef, pork, mutton, and sausages of all kinds ,” and an 1898feature describing the business characteristics of McMinnville stated, “They do their own

killing and have all the necessary and convenient machinery for doing packing in a skillful

manner and their operations of this kind are indeed of metropolitan proportions.” In 1899Matthies’ son Charles apprenticed under his father, and by 1900 Booth had sold his

interests in the business to Charles. Booth would go on to open his own butcher shop,and by the early 19-teens he was in business with a Mr. Hibbs. Meanwhile, ownershipof the City Market continued to rotate, with the Matthies’ selling all interests in the business to partners Willard & Ehrman in late 1900. By 1902 the proprietors are listed asBraden & Hill, and in 1903 Fred Keller. One of the Matthies’ bought back into the business in 1904, moving the meat market to a new location four doors west of the PostOffice with a Mr. Keil as their partner. Within the same year Matthies & Rehor arelisted as proprietors of the same business.! There were always about four butcher shops stretched out along third streetand surrounding vicinity. D Street Produce and Meat Market was run by LindseyWalker in the 1890’s before being transferred to the ownership of Charles Powell, whoadvertised in 1900 “Fresh and salt meats of all kinds in stock.” There was also the

McMinnville Meat Market, which in 1902 was run by M.C. Steward. In 1903 two new butchers by the name Stewart and Watkins came to McMinnville, employing localcitizen Charles McClean to help in the business. It is highly possible that McMinnvillewas too competitive an arena for the wellbeing of any one butcher, giving fewproprietors of butcher shops much incentive to stay in business for an extended periodof time. While the Matthies family offered services fairly consistently over a fewdecades, every other proprietor left town after a relatively short period of time.

!

Butchers

Above:TheevolutionofCityMarktoldthroughtheadvertisemen

Below:LindseyWalker’sDStreProduceandMeatMarketad,circ

A19-teensbutchershopbetween2ndand3rdonCowls,operatedbyBoothandHibbs



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The Cigar Industry McMinnville boasted a strong local cigar industry, catering to the demands o

large smoking populace.

The Cigar Business in McMinnville! Cigars were first encountered by the Western World in 1492, when Columbusand his men noticed natives of the Caribbean smoking an unfamiliar substance out of rolled leaves. Columbus brought the material back to Spain, where a taste for tobaccoquickly developed. By 1600 smoking of tobacco was a widespread habit in England,influencing the British to grow tobacco in large quantities in the 1607 Jamestowncolony. Over the next 300 years, wars and trade spread tobacco throughout the world.Countries would occasionally ban the substance, yet prohibition always failed andtobacco would be legalized once again. The period between 1860 and 1910 is

described as the golden period of the cigar industry in the United States. By 1899,average tobacco consumption per person in the U.S. reached 5 pounds per year,making America the second heaviest tobacco user in the world behind theNetherlands. The 1900 census indicates that there were 25,633 cigar factories in theUnited States at the time. Clearly the market was tremendous during this period, withdemand for the product at an all time high. Much changed during the twentiethcentury, particularly federal legislation, the development of big tobacco companies,and a shift to a more health conscious public. Yet in a time before these trends effectedthe industry, capitalists in McMinnville were quick to satisfy the high local demandwith a constant supply of tobacco products.! Analysis of the 1902 Sanborn Fire Insurance map of McMinnville shows two buildings labeled Cigar Fac. (shown in photo, above right). One factory was located atthe corner of 2nd and Baker, while the other was located on the southwest corner of 3rd and Evans. A third building on the south side of third street between Cowls andDavis street is simply labeled “cigars”, which suggests that cigars were sold there butnot manufactured. The cigar industry in McMinnville was booming around this time.A look at the 1900 census shows four different men listed as cigar manufacturers.These men were Carl Fuchs, John Reasoner, Rick Eckstein and John Wiesner.Additionally, four young men were listed as “Cigar Maker” on the census, includingErnst Fuchs, Fenton Hawley, Albert Henderson and Fenton Young. All of the men inthe industry were younger than 30 in 1900, most in their early twenties. The turnoverrate of employment was generally very high in the industry. Like bussers in arestaurant, cigar makers came and went at fairly high rates under the employment of

the main manufacturing firms. The cigars were sold not just by the manufacturersthemselves, but also at localsaloons, billiard halls, hotels, andgeneral merchants. Additionalinformation about the earlyCigar industry in McMinnvillewas derived from earlyphotographs and advertisementsfrom The Yamhill County Reporter.

!

AMcMinnvilleCigarFactoryasappearsonthe1902fireinsuran

map.

Above:L.A.Triplettadvertisedhispcigarin1904.Itisunclearhowlonremainedinbusinessorwhere

businesswaslocated.

Left:ThisStarTobaccometalsignrecoveredfromaMcMinnvilledum

waspossiblydiscardedbytheMcMinnvilleGrangeandFarmer whenitfoldedin1902,astheyhheavilyadvertisedtheStarBran




C I G A R I N D U S T R Y

Carl Fuchs’ Cigar Factory

! Carl Fuchs’ Cigar Factory operated on the southeast corner of Baker andSecond Streets. In 1892 this building was a meeting hall for the city, so Fuchs started business sometime during the eight years between 1892 and 1900. Originally fromCalifornia, Carl came to McMinnville and quickly became popular for his “Carl’s StarCigar”, which was advertised in the April 1900 edition of Campaign , a localpublication illustrated by young Fred Cooper. The 1904 city directory listed Fuchs asmanufacturer of fine Havana and domestic cigars. He employed his two sons Fredand Ernst at his factory, as well as additional labor outside the family. An interestingarticle appeared in the 1904 Yamhill County Reporter: “The town dogs in the neighborhood

of Carl Fuchs’ are having all sorts of fun chasing his pet bear up his perch. The bear was

purchased by Mr. Fuchs- not captured- over near Dolph, and is already quite a pet.” ClearlyFuchs was an interesting local character as well as a successful businessman in thecigar industry.

J.G. Wiesner’s Cigar Factory

! John Wiesner’s cigar factory stood on the south corner of Third and Evans.Wiesner was a native of Austria who came to America when he was just 21. Heentered into business in McMinnville in 1892, where he stayed in business until he

died from a traffic accident in 1947 at the age of 79. At the time of his death he washailed as the city’s oldest businessman. At one time he was in business with Rick Eckstein, who was a young 20 years old in 1900. In 1898 their most popular cigarwas the “Derby King”. In 1899 Wiesner and Eckstein were seen advertising thePanetella cigar, which at just five cents was “equal to anybody’s best.” They claimedto have the largest stock of pipes and smokers goods in town (note advertisement, below right). During the height of Wiesner’s business, he employed seven or eightemployees to hand make the popular smokes. His obituary stated that “he wasfamous for his hand made cigars which were smoked by many Yamhill residents.” By1904 he had split his partnership from Eckstein and was advertising high-gradeHavana cigars and a cigar called “The Black Prince”. The standard going rate forcigars in this time period was five cents, a price he consistently put on his own

cigars.

!

A1900advertisementforCarl’sStarCiforfivecents.

CarlFuchs’CigarFactoryin190

Above:An1899adforWiesnerandEcPanatellaCigar

Left:TheJ.G.WiesnerCigarFactorya

1902Below:TheWhiteCrowwasanother

cigarbrandputoutbyWiesne



S

The Dentist in McMinnville! During the period 1895 to 1910, McMinnville consistently had a few dentistsserving the community. One of these men was Dr. W. J. Clark, who came toMcMinnville for a few years in the mid-1890‘s. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he advertised his office in Union Block and his usage of “the latest methodof painless extraction.” His 1894 advertisement that appeared in the Yamhill County

Reporter is shown at right. No record of Dr. Clark can be found after 1896.! Dr. Leroy Lewis began practicing in McMinnville in 1895 after graduatingfrom the Great American College of Dental Surgery in Chicago. He advertised hisspecial attention to diseased gums, sore, loose and crowded teeth, crooked teeth,neuralgia and plate work. An 1899 advertisement put out by Lewis is shown at right.In 1900 Lewis is listed as a partner with Dr. Ward Wisecarver. Dr. Lewis left townwithin the next few years, yet Wisecarver continued to build his practice at least

through 1911. Dr. Lewis returned to McMinnville around 1908 and soon became business partners with a Dr. Toney. The two continued their joint practice well into the19-teens.! In addition to Dr. Lewis and Dr. Wisecarver, the 1900 census lists George S.Wright (soon to be mentioned), Edward R. Schenk and Arthur S. Cooper asMcMinnville dentists. Neither Schenk nor Cooper advertised in local papers, and noother record is had of their practices.

Dr. G.S. Wright

! George S. Wright was born in 1867 in Salem, Oregon to John W. Wright, apioneer merchant of that town. He attended school in his hometown as well asOakland, California. After earning a degree in dentistry he moved back to Salem,where he practiced the profession for two years before moving to Prineville in 1886. In1889 Wright moved to McMinnville and started a successful and lasting practice onthird street. He made a specialty of seamless crown work and gold-filling. In 1892 Dr.Wright’s office was located over McMinnville National Bank on the corner of thirdand Cowls. An article in the 1898 Reporter noted that Wright was the only dentist inthe county that could perform very skilled dental surgery. In later years Dr. Wrightserved as mayor of McMinnville as well as an Oregon state senator. In his free time hewas an avid bicycle rider. He was a pioneer of bike racing, winning the state bikeracing championship in 1896. After many years serving the community, Wright passedaway in 1930 at the age of 63.

Dentists

Above:An1894advertisementfo W.J.Clarkandan1899advertisem

forDr.LeroyLewis

Below:An1892advertisementfo WrightandaphotographofWr

withhisbicycleinthe1890’s

Thebottlesshownatleftareallteeth-relatedandwere

discoveredinaMcMinnvillelandfill.Datingtotheturnofthecentury,theywerelikelysoldbylocaldruggistsandwereusedtofreshenthebreathandrelieve

toothaches.

CaldersDentine

Dr.E.L.Crane’sToothPowder

SozodontFortheTeeth



S

The Druggist in McMinnville! Disease ran rampant throughout the early years in Oregon, leading toa high demand for druggists that could offer a variety of curative products.From the common cold to smallpox, McMinnville residents often relied on thewisdom of local druggists to provide pain relief and rapid recovery. Localdruggists of the time period were strictly men, as was typical of the era.Research indicates that most druggists were largely successful in McMinnville,with a fairly low turnover rate relative to other industries. The local drugstorewas perhaps the most vital of all downtown businesses as it truly ensured the

health of all local citizens and, outwardly, the wellbeing of the town itself. Ascompetition increased, town druggists reached a pact in 1902 to always closetheir doors around 8 p.m. and at noon on Sundays. Those needing medicalassistance during closed business hours could seek the attention of one of themany local doctors, many of whom took it upon themselves to provideattention at any time of day.

Rogers Brothers Druggists

! Perhaps the most successful and enduring of all early McMinnvillepharmacies was the business firm of brothers John and Frank Rogers. JohnLewis Rogers, born in 1859 to Yamhill County pioneer J.W.Rogers, secured an

education at McMinnville College (later to be renamed Linfield College) andentered into the drug business with P.W.Todd in 1883 at the young age of 24.Rogers and Todd stayed in business together for three years, at which pointTodd retired and John’s brother Frank Rogers became a new partner in thefirm. From 1886 into the first quarter of the twentieth century, Rogers Bros.Druggists successfully provided both home-made remedies and name-brandmedicines. A third brother, Thomas H. Rogers, became a partner in the firm in1902.! All of the Rogers brothers were very active in the community and wereinvolved in numerous other organizations. John Rogers was director and Vice-president of the McMinnville National Bank prior to 1902, and was also amember of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, Workman and Woodmen orders. For

many years he was an active member of the First Baptist Church. John Rogerspassed away after a four year illness in 1902, much to the sorrow of thecommunity and his two business partners. As mentioned in his obituary, “Hiscounsel and assistance was sought by brethren and it was valued for its trueworth. He was a bright business man and a thoroughly upright andconscientious citizen.”! The Rogers Brothers business was located next to the First NationalBank on the south side of Third and Davis. They advertised very heavily in thelocal newspaper, The Yamhill County Reporter. These advertisements proveparticularly insightful in providing information about the wide range of products offered by their firm.

DruggistsTo alleviate sicknesses common and rare, McMinnville pharmacists were among

most popular and stable of all area businesses

ArareandearlybottleputoutbyRogersDruggists,alocalfirmthatcateredto

McMinnvillecitizenssincethemid1880’sintothetwentiethcentury.

InteriorofRogersBros.Pharmacy,circa1Noteshelvesuponshelvesofbottles

surroundingthemainfloor

JohnLewisRogers,Druggist




Some of the advertised items were of popular national brands, such as D.D.D.and Chamberlain’s Pain Balm. These products are now considered “patentmedicines,” which contained more intoxicating substances such as morphineand laudanum as opposed to actual curative properties. In addition to name brands, Rogers Bros. created many of their own concoctions and sold them inglass bottles embossed with “Rogers. Bros. Druggists, McMinnville, Or.”Evidence suggests that this particular drugstore was the most popular of localfirms during the period 1889 to the early 1900’s, as demonstrated by the vastnumber of Rogers bottles that have been uncovered in excavations around thecity. There were four different bottle styles released over the years, the first andearliest bearing an embossed mortar and pestle. Later versions have no mortarand pestle and are embossed “Rogers Bros. Pharmacy, McMinnville, Or.” asopposed to the earlier “Druggists” embossing.! Besides selling medicines, Rogers Bros. offered a variety of otherpersonal goods, such as razors and chamois vests. One advertisement from1906 claims, “Shaveyourself.It’seasywhenyouhavetherightkind ofequipment

andyoucannotmakeamistakeifyoulet ushelp you selectit.Wehaveeverything

needed andjustthequalitythat pleasescriticalshavers;keenrazors,good strops,

badgerhair latherbrushes,allthe goodshaving soaps,lotions, etc.allat theright

prices.RogersBros.TheDrugCenterofYamhillCounty.”

!

RogersBrosisdrawnas“Drugs”inthe190insurancemapabove.WiththirdstreetoleftandDavisabove,RogerswassandwicbetweenFirstNationalBankandabakegrocery.BehindthedrugstorewastheO

House.

This1890’sphotoisastreetviewofthdrugstore.ThemeninthepictureincludRogersBRothersandDr.E.E.Goucher,

tallestmaninthephoto.

FrankRogersbuiltthisornatehomeat210thSt.in1896forasumof$2500.Itison

themostornatehousessurvivinginMcMinnvilletoday.

One1899adforRogersBros,above,claimsthattheyhaven’tkilledmanybearsbecausetheyhavespent16yearsfillingprescriptions

instead.

D R U G G I S T S




Peery Drug Company

! Records indicate that Archibald M. Peery came to McMinnville andopened a drugstore in 1902. One of eleven children, Peery was born inMissouri on April 29, 1859. His first marriage occurred in 1884 to CarrieBertram, with whom he remained married until her death in 1895. In 1897 heentered into a second marriage with Mary Tallman, and within five yearscame to McMinnville to operate his drug store. His first advertisement in theYamhill County Reporter states, “For bargains in drugs and sundries get them at

Peery Drug Co’s prescription drug store.” Soon thereafter he advertised ahomemade poison oak cure and a corn cure (shown below left), with whichhe offered a money-back warranty if it failed to work. In 1903 he was foundadvertising Danderine, “the greatest hair

tonic in the world.” He must have beensuccessful in his line of work, asnewspaper advertisements can be foundinto the 19-teens. Peery passed away in1919 and was buried in the DaytonCemetery (tombstone shown at right).

S. Howorth & Co.

! Very little is known about who S. Howorthwas. No embossed bottles from his company have been recovered. His advertisements appear in localnewspaper during the period 1899 to 1903,

indicating that his business ventures inMcMinnville were relatively short lived. He neveradvertised any of his own products but ratherthose of popular national brands, includingChamberlain’s colic, cholera, and diarrhea remedyand Shiloh’s consumption cure (1900 ad shown atright). Both of these medicines have beenrecovered in local excavations.

Parsons and Hendricks PrescriptionDruggists

! Thomas R. Parsons and Lyle V. Hendricks were prescriptiondruggists in McMinnville after 1910. Few records exist that glean muchadditional information. Embossed bottles have been found with “Parsonsand Hendricks Prescription Druggists” and “Hendricks PrescriptionDruggists”, indicating that at one time Hendricks operated the drugstorewithout Parsons as his partner. They were certainly partners in 1911, asevidenced by the city directory and advertisements.

!

BottlesreleasedbyPeerywereemboss“PeeryDrugCo.PrescriptionDruggist”a

withaheartemanatingraysoflight

In1909Peerybuiltthehomeontherig605E.1stSt.Thehouseexhibitscolon

revivalelementsandsomeorientalinflu

Above:The“ParsonsandHendrickPrescriptionDruggists”bottle,circa1

Below:Bottleembossed“HendricksDruPrescriptionDruggist”,pre-1911

D R U G G I S T S



P H A R M A C I E S

Brand-Name Medicines Sold in Drug Stores

Below is a small selection of the many medicines offered by the standard drug store in 1900

Some contain curative properties, while most are considered “patent medicines” due to high

levels of intoxicating compounds.

Warner’s Safe CureWarner’s Safe Cure Co. of Rochester, N.Y.released a full line of products claiming tocure a wide variety of human ailments.Examples include a kidney and liver cure,rheumatic cure, asthma cure, anddiabetes cure. In all reality, the productcould cure only about 5% of theafflictions it was marketed towards (i.e.

headache), while the remainder wereonly temporarily relieved due to the highlevels of intoxicants. The companyutilized heavy advertising and waswildly popular while the Americanpublic remained naive to the truecharacteristics of said medicines. The bottles themselves are highly appealingdue to the large embossed safe on thefront. Shown below is a large “WarnersSafe Diabetes Remedy” found inMcMinnville.

Ayer’s Ague CureAgue is another term for Malaria, aparasitic disease that involves highfevers, shaking chills, flu-like symptomsand anemia. The J.C. Ayer Co. of Lowell,Massachusetts, put out a wide variety of products, their most popular being a“cherry pectoral”, sarsaparilla and “HairVigor”. The ague cure is a lesser seen

example that claimed to cure malaria,although a trip to the hospital wouldhave been a smarter choice by theunfortunate soul that used this product.An ague cure bottle was recentlydiscovered in McMinnville. Malaria isextremely uncommon in Oregon,however it is quite a problem in thetropics and subtropics. Perhaps one of themen from McMinnville that traveled tothe Philippines during the SpanishAmerican war contracted the diseasethere.

Kilmer’s RemediDr. Andral Kilmer set up business Birmingham, New York in the 1870company released a wide line of proprietary medicines, pills andointments. He learned the art of mproduction and before long wasadvertising extensively and shippievery corner of the United States. O

his most popular products was the“Swamp Root Kidney Liver and BlCure”, which claimed to treat just any and every ailment of the innerorgans. He lobbied very hard againpassage of the Food and Drug Act 1906, and was dismayed when theofficially was passed into law. Hisadvertisements often appeared in tYamhill County Reporter. Many of hproducts have been found in the arincluding the swamp root remedy below.



P H A R M A C I E S

Mrs. Winslow’sA “soothing syrup” given to children during

teething.

Mrs. Charlotte Winslow was a devotedfemale physician and nurse who studiedteething in infants. She compounded aformula for a soothing syrup for children,

the main ingredients being morphine,sodium carbonate, spirits of foeniculi andaqua ammonia. It comes as no surprisethat the medicine both “soothed” thechild and also relieved the pain of otherailments. First released in 1849, it becamevery popular under the management of Jeremiah Curtis and Benjamin Perkins.Advertisements and labeling weremisleading, and in time many childdeaths were reported as a result of overdose on this particular medicine andsimilar others. The Pure Food and DrugAct of 1906 helped crack down onpotentially dangerous drugs such asWinslow’s, which has come to be knownas one of the top-selling “babykillers.”Below are two bottles found in theMcMinnville area.

Bromo SeltzerThe most popular of American pain relievers

between 1903 and 1920

This product takes its name from theingredient in the original formula,sodium bromide. Bromides are a class of tranquilizers that were withdrawn from

the American market in 1975 due to theirtoxicity. It was originally invented byIssac Emerson of the Emerson DrugCompany in Baltimore, Maryland. It waslargely marketed as an aid for headachesand stomach complaints. The productwas sold in cobalt blue bottles in the formof effervescent granules that must bedissolved with water before digestion. Itwas a tremendously popular andsuccessful product, largely due to itseffectiveness and low cost. It is one of themost common bottles that have beenfound in local dumps.

Kickapoo Indian OA successful early American indian

medicine

John Healy and Charles Bigelow oConecticut-based Healy & BigelowCompany were very successful atmarketing a line of indian medicin

They employed indians, supposedKickapoo’s, to tour the country anthe products. Americans at this timassociated indians with mystery anmagic, and Kickapoo indian remedsupposedly held secret ingredients by the indians to cure their ailmenreality, the products contained littlthan alcohol and hard intoxicants, would take the government until 1crack down on these traditional pamedicines. The example shown bedates to the 1890’s and was discovnear the site of the old McMinnvillSteam Laundry on SE Washington



P H A R M A C I E S

Piso’s Cure Main ingredient: Cannabis

The Hazeltine Corporation of Pennsylvania was founded in 1869 andsoon became famous for its coughmedicine, “Piso’s Cure forConsumption.” The product wasadvertised as the sure cure fortuberculosis, coughs and colds. Theproduct was so popular that the companyeventually changed its name to The PisoCompany. What made Piso’s Cure somuch more successful than competingmedicines? The primary cause is becausethe main ingredients were cannabisindica and chloroform, which incombination surely would have made theconsumer forget about their ailments. Theproduct was hardly affected by the Pure

Food and Drug act of 1906, as cannabiswould not be scheduled as a Schedule 1substance until 1970. Evidence suggeststhat Piso’s Cure was very popular inMcMinnville, both due to high rates of advertising in the local paper and a highrate of recovery from local dumps.

Radway’s Ready Relief One of the most vague patent medicines of all

Radway & Co. of New York released thispatent medicine. Early advertisementsread, “No matter how violent or excruciating

the pain, the Rheumatic, Bedridden, Infirm,

Crippled, Nervous, Neuralgic, or prostrated

with disease may suffer, Radway’s Ready

Relief will afford instant ease.” This overlygeneral description of who may benefitfrom using the product was typical of patent medicines, which all advertisedtheir products as curing much more thanmedically possible at the time. R.R.R firstentered into the market in 1847 byRichard R. Radway. The bottles wereaqua and rectangular, as demonstrated bythe example shown below.

D.D.DStops the itch!

Originally known as DeHaven’sDyspepsia Destroyer, this product originally advertised as curing dys(indigestion), costiveness and SickHeadache. In time the company rea product to be used externally,shortening the name to D.D.D. A 1advertisement for D.D. D. from RoBros. of McMinnville is shown beloBelow the advertisement is a D.D.D bottle found locally.



P H A R M A C I E S

Paine’s CeleryCompound

Celery has not always been seen simplyas a vegetable. The seed of celery also hasmedicinal properties, and was largelyportrayed as a diuretic and curativecompound in the late nineteenth century.Milton K. Paine, a pharmacist fromVermont, began distributing his celerycompound in 1882. It contained celeryseed, red cinchona, orange peel, lemonpeel, coriander seed,hydrochloric acid,glycerine, simple syrup, water andalcohol. Paine’s Celery Compound wasfrequently advertised to cure “disease of

the Nerves, Kidneys, Liver, Stomach, and

Bowels, and acts as a Blood Purifier and Tonic

to the Central System.” As a so-called blood purifier and nerve tonic, the

compound was very heavily advertisedthroughout the United States. It was putout by Wells, Richardson & Co., a firmthat specialized in distributing a widevariety of patent medicines to all parts of the nation. Paine’s Celery Compoundwas an especially lucrative product forthe firm up until 1906, when they wereforced to admit that it was 21% alcohol.

Chamberlain’sRemedies

In the spring of 1872, LowellChamberlain moved to Iowa to engage inthe druggist trade. He established theChamberlain Company in Des Moines in1883 and produced various patentmedicines for local and eventuallynational sale. By 1900 the company wasflourishing, successfully advertising in allstates of the union. The S. Howorth Co. of McMinnville constantly advertised theirproducts in the local paper, likelyreceiving a small sum from the companyfor their willingness to do so. Their pain balm was to be used externally forrheumatism and gout, while the coughremedy was used internally for coughs,cold, croup, whooping cough, bronchitis

and sore throat. The company wasextremely lucrative and was able to bravethe 1906 drug act fairly well compared tocompetitors. Below are two examples of their products which have been foundlocally.

Wisdom’s Roberti

This product was originally put upWilliam Wisdom of Chicago. It sooput out by the Blumauer-Frank Coof Portland, Oregon, and was largein the western states. Unlike the pamedicines described previously, thwas advertised as a product to purimprove the complexion. Drug stoonly sold pain relievers but often sproducts such as this. Because beaduring the time of the late 1800’s to1900’s was characterized by pale skRobertine essentially bleached the and left it much more white than bIn bleaching it, the skin certainlyappeared less irritated than beforecertainly is an interested product a

gorgeous bottle, two examples of whave been uncovered in McMinnv



S

The Dry Goods Merchant in McMinnville! By definition, dry goods are fabric, thread, clothing, and related merchandise asdistinct from hardware and groceries. Strictly for organizational purposes, this sectionlooks at a broad array of businesses that offered a combination of “dry” products,including but not limited to clothing, shoes, hats, school supplies, lamps, books, toys,etcetera. Their stories are varied and backgrounds diverse, but at one time or anotherduring the period 1895 to 1910 they proudly peddled their products on third street.These businesses provided employment for many local citizens, both for proprietorsthemselves as well as the wide selection of clerks, salesmen and saleswomen.

The Racket Store, Charles F. Mills! In 1895 H. Mills (full name unknown) and his son Charles started The RacketStore, a general store that sold a wide variety of goods including table linens, shoes,clothes, curtains, bed spreads, toys, albums, dolls, and “too many things to take space to

mention them” (1900 New Year Ad, Yamhill County Register). Their opening ad in 1895,shown at right, infers that H. Mills had an earlier store and renamed it the Racket Storeupon partnering with his son. The Racket Store must have been profitable becauseadvertisements can be found for at least the next fifteen years. Charles bought out hisfather’s share about 1902. By this time the store was specializing in Star 5 Star Shoes,with which the store gave away a 4 by 5 foot map of the United States with everypurchase of $5.00 or more. In 1904 the company focused their advertising on the star 5

star shoes, umbrellas, and school supplies.The Chicago Store! Opened in 1898, the Chicago Store was owned by a Mr. P. Fisher. As noted in anarticle about the business’s new opening, “ Mr. Fisher’s specialties are dry goods, clothing,

shoes and furnishings, and only a visit to this handsome and commodious store is necessary to

convince one and all that his prices cannot be duplicated elsewhere.” The business advertisedvery heavily for the next few years, particularly for “New Dress goods, New Hosiery, New

Lace Curtains, New Shoes, New Hats, New Clothing, All at our well known low prices” (1900Yamhill County Reporter Ad). The store would occasionally advertise massive clearingsales on the front page of the newspaper, such as that shown to the right. The ad claimsthat the Chicago Store offers “The greatest feast of bargains ever seen in Old Yamhill” andgoes on to list a wide array of merchandise, mostly all clothing articles. The clearance

sales were very popular events, and indeed the prices were bottom of the barrel, with boys caps selling for 15 cents, mens bib overalls at 59 cents, and Chicago Waist corsetsat 79 cents. The business operated out of the first floor of the Wright Building (3rd andDavis) from 1898 to 1902. Apparently the clearance sales did a better job at movinginventory as opposed to generating profit, as the business folded in 1902 and wasacquired by A. Wolf & Son. The company that replaced The Chicago Store was theMiller Mercantile Company, which continued selling dry goods, notions, shoes,gentlemen’s furniture and groceries from the same location. The Miller Mercantile Co.was a strictly cash business, fighting against credit issues that plagued the ChicagoStore and others.

Dry Goods MerchantsFrom clothing to bedding, school supplies to shoes, these merchants offered a w

assortment of necessities and luxuries to meet unwavering local demand




F. Dielschneider’s Shoe Shop! F. Dielschneider (first name unclear) was the proprietor of the oldestfoot-wear establishment in McMinnville. Dielschneider came to Oregon in 1856and eventually found himself in McMinnville. In 1876 he started F.Dielschneider’s Boots & Shoes, offering both new shoes as well as repair work.He quickly became an undisputed authority on all that pertains to boots andshoes, and his large stock of goods on hand indicated the thrifty business hehad built up for himself. In 1899 he expanded his business and advertised

“More room! Larger stock! Lower Prices! I have enlarged my store quarters to makeroom for my increased stock, and the people of Yamhill County will find me right to the

front this fall and winter as usual, with the largest and best assortment of footwear in

McMinnville. Sign of the Big Boot. F. Dielschneider.” Dielschneider resided at 102SE 1st St and was father to the Dielschneider Brothers, the very successful local jewelry and watch repairers.! While Dielschneider provided the most reliable shoe store, others inthe industry came and went from McMinnville over the years. One such man,Sterling Harding, was a shoe maker whose business was located next to the firestation on Davis between second and third street (now the parking lot of theNational Bank). The sign for his business can be seen in the photograph to the bottom right. He was in business throughout the 1890’s and into the twentieth

century, celebrating his 78th birthday in 1900. Another shoe maker by the nameof A.E.McKern opened a shoe making business in 1898, yet Dielschneider andHarding proved too fierce of competition and never gave McKern the chance tomake a profit. The 1900 census lists 48 year-old Philip Cane as a shoe maker,although he never advertised in local papers and nothing more is known of him or his business. A similar story can be said of L. Griebe, who appeared as ashoemaker in the 1904 city directory but never is mentioned elsewhere.

C.C Murton! Clarence Murton was born in 1871 in England and came to Americasoon thereafter. He started business in McMinnville in his twenties as a drygoods merchant. He initially went broke but was fortunate to have an old

friend float him some money. He reported in the 1902 newspaper that he wasfinancially embarrassed but prepared to improve his business and be moreresponsible with future financial practices. His promise was a good one, and before long he was operating a very successful store that advertised in thenewspaper on a weekly basis. In 1904 he advertised his selection of jackets andfurs, claiming “if you want a fur jacket now is the time to get one at a low price.” By1906 his advertisements mainly focused on blankets and comforting, boasting“our selection is bigger and better than ever at prices to suit every one.” Murton wasstill doing good business in 1911, with a sale on summer piece goods, mens

golf shirts and muslin underwear (see ad at right) .

D R Y G O O D S M E R C H A N T S

ThebottlesatleftareBixbyShoePolishbottlesfromthe1890’s.Shoepolishwasverypopular

timeinthiseraduetothefineleatherqualityofshoes.Hoardsofshoepolishbottleshavebeen

foundinMcMinnvilledumpsites.Manyofthedrygoodsmerchantslistedinthepagesherein

wouldhaveofferedshoepolishtotheircustomers.

Right:S.F.Harding’sshoemakingshopcanbeseeninthis1890’sphotographofDavisstreet




The Hamblin Clothing Company! In the summer of 1900, Clark Hamblin, a traveling salesmen, fell inlove with Oregon and decided to settle in McMinnville. He and his familyinitially lived in the Dr. Goucher tenancy over the McMinnville National Bank,which was briefly vacant due to Goucher’s trek to Alaska to find gold. Mr.Hamblin quickly rented the corner room of Union block and established anexclusively men’s clothing store. He was advised that he would never make it,particularly due to the presence of other existing clothing stores in

McMinnville and a market that could not support widespread supply. Much toeveryone’s surprise, the store proved quite profitable and survived for anastonishing 89 years. Dell Wheeler bought into the store in 1902 and the namechanged to Hamblin Wheeler. Wheeler took over management in 1904, and in1905 Clark Hamblin passed away.

R. Jacobson & Co.

! R. Jacobson opened a dry goods business in McMinnville in the early1890‘s. Quick success and high profits enabled him to erect a large brick building on the northwest corner of third and Davis in 1897 at a cost of $16,000.

He operated a large and successful dry goods firm with Mr. D.M. Nayberger ashis partner. In an early 1898 advertisement, the company claimed that “anyone

want of dry goods, clothing, millinery, boots, shoes, ladies’ and gents’ furnishing goods,

fine wraps, carpets, linoleums, window shades, etc., will suit themselves and save

money by visiting the new store of R. Jacobson & Co.” By 1902 business was sostrong that they were able to purchase the estate of the failed McMinnvilleGrange & Farmers Company (see next page). In 1904 the company advertisedtheir intentions to open a grocery line to the department store, which hadreached considerable success due to fair dealings, low prices and good goods.In 1906 the company focused their advertising on children’s clothing, with aspecial emphasis on “the noblest line of childrens’ school suits.” The business wasalso able to earn an extra profit by offering a full line of bicycles. D.M.

Nayberger bought Jacobson’s share of the business in 1910, and Jacobsonpursued other business interests with a Mr. DeHaven. The building wasdemolished in 1967 to make way for the U.S. Bank.


AtfarleftistheHamblin-WheelerCompaappearedin1911.NoticethefreshlypavedIthadaprimelocationonthecornerof

Block.

Below:R.Jacobson’sbuildingonthenorcornerofDavisandthirdstreet.Constru1897,thebuildinglastedasolidseventybeforebeingtorndownin1967.McMinnNationalBankoperatedoutofthebuild

well.




The McMinnville Grange and Farmers Company! This business was organized in 1884 using the capital of shareholdersliving in and around McMinnville. It was first managed by Alex Reid, who wasreplaced on February 1st 1897 by 22-year old Charles Nelson. It was initiallyvery successful, reaching a capital stock of $10,000 in 1898 and backed by over100 shareholders in the same year. The stock consisted of dry goods, furnishinggoods, clothing, boots and shoes, groceries, etc. and carried a large share of thecity and county trade for over two decades. Eggs and butter could be

exchanged for goods, a bartering system that was very attractive to localfarmers and which generated over $5,000 in trade per year. Besides themanager, the store also employed three clerks. In 1900 the business advertised“the prettiest line of lamps and decorated ware” as well as “45c cash buys a plug of

Star Tobacco at the Grange Store.”! It was truly a perfect storm of unfortunate economic circumstancesthat brought an end to this business. The company had been planning toexpand into a larger building and finally moved forth with plans in 1899. By1900 the building (corner of third and Cowls) was complete, but the economywas not what it had been. The Alaskan gold rush and Spanish American wartook from the area many residents and farmers, shareholders included. Thefixed cost of the new building was much higher than expected, and the

company simply could not afford to continue paying their four employees andshareholder dividends. By 1902 the business folded, its line of goods liquidatedand sold to the highest bidder, R. Jacobson & Co.The building remained, laterhousing Apperson’s General Merchandise and DeHaven’s Hardware.

Charles Grissen’s Store! Charles Grissen was born 1854 in Germany. He came to McMinnvillein his early twenties and opened the city bakery, which he operated up throughthe 1880’s. He opened a store in the early 1880‘s offering a wide assortment of goods, including books, stationary, sewing machines, musical instruments,organs, jewelry, toys and notions. His business was located on third street nextto Rogers Drug and First National Bank. By 1892 the business had become the

leading stationary and music house in the county. In that year it heavilyadvertised the Wheeler and Wilson sewing machine and a “No. 1 Organ for

$45.” Business stayed strong throughout the 1890’s, and in 1900 he was seenadvertising wall paper, New Home and Climax sewing machines, books, and awide assortment of musical instruments like violins, banjos and accordions. Itis believed that his success lay in his ability to offer diverse products that couldnot be found anywhere else.! In addition to managing a successful business, Grissen was an activemember of the community. He served as mayor and dutiful member on theCity Council, and was president of the Oregon Fire Relief Association (which isnow the Oregon Mutual Insurance Company). His Queen Anne home, builtcirca 1889 at 1004 E. Fifth St., was the first house insured by the company.


Above:ItishardnottomarvelattheecleselectionofitemsthatGrissenofferedh

customers.

AtfarleftisasketchofthebuildingwhGrissen’sbusinesswaslocated.HisnamecseennexttoRogersDrugStore.Asketch

Grissenhimselfisshownattheimmediat




MillinersA milliner is a person who makes or sells women’s hatsVictorian era, it was very common for women to be msimply because they understood most intimately the dcharacteristics of a woman’s hat. The woman in the photis likely Eva Martin, who made her own hats and opened

on third street in 1894. In 1898 she advertised “Ladies’ fu goods in endless varieties and at the cheapest prices.” Martout of business in 1900, soon to be replaced by The MarkMilliners in 1904. The 1900 census lists other milliners, inSophia Marks and Emma Hawley.

The Second-Hand StoreNot every store in McMinnville offered the newest, most goods. Several stores in McMinnville sold second-hand gprices that easily beat those of similar firsthand produphotograph above shows Harvey Bogue in his secostore. Taken about 1903, the store was located next to thGeorge Saloon in a converted confectionary. McMinnvihad a salvation army, which was located on Baker street bfirst and second.

The Traveling SalesmanMcMinnville residents were not completely limited to theproducts offered by businesses on third street. It was, afterall, an era when traveling salesmen were treated with openarms as opposed to contempt. The photograph above datesto about 1890 and shows a salesman for the Watkins

Company. The Watkins Company offered a wide variety of products, from medicine to flavoring extracts. It was acornerstone of Watkins sales practices to utilize the travelingsalesman to sell their goods. As is evidenced in thephotograph, this particular agent is J.E.Hill of McMinnville.No further information is known about Hill or his family, butthe photograph is truly a rare find and a firm reminder thatmany businesses of the era were mobile.

Mrs. Garrison’s Dress Making ParlorSeveral women did operate businesses on third street between 1895 and 1910. One of these businesses was Mrs.Garrison’s Dress Making Parlor, which essentially did exactlyas the name suggests. Nothing more is known aboutGarrison. The most common businesses operated by womenof the era were women’s apparel manufacturers andmilliners.




S

The Furniture Dealer in McMinnville

McMinnville had several furniture dealers throughout 1895 to 1910,most of whom also offered on-site upholstering services. The industrywas relatively stable, and businesses did not initially face an overlycompetitive environment. H.C. Burns was the primary dealer in the1890’s and early 1900’s, yet new competition forced him out after theturn of century. The 1904 city directory lists Culver and TilburyFurniture and Undertaking, which by 1905 had become Tilbury andFink Furniture. Tilbury soon separated from Fink and started his ownstore with his sons, lasting well into the 19-teens. O.O. Hodson startedcarrying more furniture after 1900, as well as W.T. Macy, who by 1911had established a very large and successful furniture store on thirdstreet. The 1911 directory also lists O.D. Scott as a dealer in furniture.

Estes Furniture Dealers! Egan Estes and his son Omer were furniture dealers in McMinnville around1900. Prior to that time Omer operated a new and second-hand store, for which headvertised baby carriages, tinware, hammocks, mattresses and camp stoves. He alsowas a dealer in page woven wire fence (ad seen to the right). At the turn of the centuryhe and his father opened a furniture store and heavily advertised their “handsome lineof furniture” in the Yamhill County Reporter. The business most not have beenlucrative, as by 1904 Omer is listed as publisher of the news and his father as an agentfor the Page Woven Wire Fence Company.

H.C. Burn’s Furniture Store! H.C. Burns was originally a partner in business with a Mr. Daniels. The two

were dealers in furniture, wall paper, carpets, oil cloths, mouldings, picture frames, etc..The business was located on the north side of third street diagonal from Hotel Yamhillon Evans Street. In 1898 Burns bought Daniels’ share of the business and continued toexpand the product line. He built a two story building at the northeast corner of thirdand Baker around the turn of the century, placing wall paper upstairs and securingmore ground floor space for furniture. He advertised sporadically throughout the nextfew years, bringing notice to a full line of carpets in 1902 and wall paper in 1903 at “avery large discount.” In 1904 a blurb in the Reporter stated, “See the glass blowers in

H.C.Burns’ building. Admission 15c. Each visitor receives a present.” It is unclear what theglass blowers were making, but it clearly was a source of side revenue for Mr. Burns.Within a few years he disappeared from records.

Furniture Merchants

Above:Estes’late1890’swirefen

Below:Severaladvertisementsp

byH.C.Burns,whooriginallywpartnerwithaMr.Daniels



S

The Grocery Store in McMinnville! McMinnville had, at any given period, a healthy selection of businessesoffering a wide assortment of groceries. The railroad allowed for the delivery of freshfoods and nationally distributed products, expanding the culinary realm of McMinnville’s citizens beyond what was available locally. The McMinnville economycould support an average of five grocery houses at a time around 1900. While twolocal grocery houses lasted for over a decade, the majority came and went with fairlyrapid turnover, lasting an average of three years. It clearly was a competitiveenvironment and grocery stores had to keep a very close eye on the price tactics of

competitors to ensure their own survival. Spending too much on overhead was thedownfall for several local grocery houses, including P.M. Flynn’s grocery and generalmerchandise business on third and Baker. Those grocery businesses that lasted thelongest tended to consistently advertise their weekly bargains in the local newspaperand offer products that went beyond staple groceries, such as fancy import groceries,elaborate chinaware, and crockery.! One major problem faced by local grocery stores was the economicrepercussions of a failed grocery house. Whenever a local grocery store folded andclosed, it would liquidate all products at or below cost. The prices simply were toolow for others to compete with, temporarily stalling profits for every survivinggrocery store until there were no further bargains to be had. This scenario occurredalmost yearly, making for a very tumultuous industry that was far from predictable.

The unstable nature of the industry prevented any single grocery store from becomingpermanently established in McMinnville during the era.

Bettman and Warren

! William L. Warren, born 1850 to a pioneering family in Oregon, started asuccessful partnership in the grocery business with a Mr. Bettman in 1896. Warren hadserved as sheriff of McMinnville from 1890 to 1894, and Bettman as an active andpublic-spirited citizen in McMinnville since 1869. Their grocery business offered a fullline of staple and fancy groceries, as well as crockery, glassware, and fine china. In1899 the partnership mutually dissolved, with Mr. Warren’s son Thomas buying theinterest of Bettman. The new firm was known as Warren and Son and continued in thesame stand as the previous business. In the winter of 1899 William Warren and his

wife took a vacation to San Francisco. Clearly there was some serious discussion thatoccurred during the trip, as upon their return to McMinnville William placed an ad inthe Yamhill County Reporter stating that Warren and Son’s store would be closingimmediately, with a sale of the entire stock to take place within the week. Anadditional advertisement noted that he and his son were headed to Nome toparticipate in the Alaskan gold rush and “must have money. Please call and settle your

accounts.” There is no record to indicate the success of these ventures, but by 1904William Warren is listed as an agent for the National Fire Insurance Company. Headvertised in the same year, “ Mr. Warren can sell you town property cheaper than you can

rent.”

Grocery StoresThe greatest number of businesses on third street between 1895 and 1910 were

in the food industry, serving the daily needs of McMinnville residents

Top:Grocerystoreslocatednextanotheronthirdstreet,asseen1892SanbornFireInsurance

Above:Two1890’smustardbodiscoveredinMcMinnvill

Below:An1899advertisementfnewlycreatedWarren&Songr

store




Henry Oliver, The Old Reliable Baker

! Mr. Henry Oliver took ownership of The McMinnville Bakery in December1897, purchasing the company from Mr. W.H. Kuns. A feature store in the Reporter notedhis establishment as “tidy and attractive” and “the bread, pies, cakes, etc., turned out for the

general run of trade, as well as in filling orders, are not excelled in any land anywhere.” Inaddition to a bakery, Mr. Oliver carried a fresh stock of fancy groceries, fruits, ice cream,soda water in season, nuts, and tobaccos. The business also served as a confectionary,creating some very delectable candies. In 1900 Oliver advertised himself as “The Old

Reliable Baker” and in 1901 he advertised Blanke’s Faust Belend Coffee (advertisementseen at right). Oliver was born 1825 in England, and upon purchasing the business hewas a remarkable 72 years old, very well aged for the time period. The last mention of the company in records was in 1903, when he advertised “Oliver’s domestic bread is the

sweetest. Try it.”

Jackson Irvine! Mr. Jackson Irvine emigrated to Oregon in the 1850’s, engaging in business inIndependence, Corvallis, and finally McMinnville. In the 1890’s his son Clarence enteredinto business with him, thus changing the name of the firm to J.P. Irvine & Son. Amid-1890’s advertisement notified the public of their intent to “furnish cook wagons and

hopyards out complete. Groceries, bread, dishes and vegetables. Make your list and get our prices.

We can save you money if given a chance.” As mentioned in an 1898 feature article in theYamhill County Reporter , “their bread, pies, cakes, etc. cannot be beat and their stock of

everything in staple and fancy groceries, kitchen furnishings, etc. is fresh, full and complete.” The business was located next door to Hendrick Grocery on third street. In 1899 the firmadvertised 3 cans of tomatoes for 25 cents and choice Maine corn at 10 cents per can. Inthe same year they also closed out their large stock of fruit jars at cost, with half gallon jars prices at 65 cents per dozen, quart jars at 50 cents per dozen, pint jars at 40 cents perdozen and jelly glasses at 30 cents per dozen. By fall of 1899 Irvine and son decided tomake a change in business and sold off $3000 stock of goods at cost. Goods were pricedto sell, with a 10-lb pail of lard for 83 cents, 20 lbs of rice for $1, and 18.5 lbs of sugar for$1. It is unclear what business the duo went into, yet by 1904 J.P.Irvine had reopened agrocery store next door tot he post office. In 1906 Irvine had partnered with Mr. Daniel

Feeley at 3rd and Baker streets. By 1911 all records of Irvine and Feeley cease to exist.Lindsey Walker

! In the 1890’s Lindsey Walker, born 1858 in Ohio, became proprietor of the DStreet Produce and Meat Market. The produce market offered market hay, grain, fieldand garden seeds, and mill stuffs, while the meat market offered salted and fresh meats.In 1898 Walker advertised his desire to purchase hides and tallow from local farmers. By1900 Walker had done away with the meat market and focused entirely on the grocery business, in which he expanded the line to include staple and fancy groceries as well asan in-house bakery and confectionary. During a particularly fierce local political battle in1900, Walker advertised “Running for office and talking politics is the concern of both fat and

lean, but a subject of more vital importance is the great problem of cheap living. To this end where

can you obtain the best bargains in groceries? Have you tried L.E.Walker?” In the same yearWalker also advertised choice dried fruits and “sweet and clean provisions and candies.”There is no record of his business after 1900.

G R O C E R Y S T O R E S

Above:Adeliverymansitsout J.P.Irvine’sGrocery

Below:AseriesofLindseyWal

advertisements,late1890’s




Wallace and Walker! Mr. E.W. Wallace was a native son of Yamhill County, having earned hiseducation at McMinnville College (Linfield) and subsequently learning the tinsmithtrade. In 1887 he entered the grocery business with his father, who shortly thereafterdisposed of his interest to Mr. J.A.Todd. In 1891 Todd sold his interest to Mr. Enoch C.Walker, a native of Shelby County, Illinois. The new partnership was renamed Wallaceand Walker, and for over a decade it profitably provided Yamhillers with a wide line of fruits, vegetables, staple groceries, crockery, queensware and glassware. The firm was

located on the south side of third street opposite the post office. An 1897 advertisementreleased by the firm noted the tumultuous economic and political environment of theera, stating “To Alaska or War with Spain Yamhillers may go, but we remain to supply your

wants in the grocery line... The country will not be depopulated, and those remaining must

live.” Clearly the Alaskan gold rush and Spanish-American war were putting a strain onlocal business, as many local residents left to pursue one cause or the other. By 1898Wallace and Walker advertised themselves as “the oldest established firm in this line in

McMinnville.” The same advertisement prompted residents living outside the city topurchase in bulk as a protection against “ probable advances in price during the winter and

the difficulties of obtaining needed articles at the right time. We can do you go on big winter

orders.” In 1898 the firm also heavily advertised Buckwheat Cakes, Sorghum Molasses,sweet mackerel, and “everything for the breakfast, lunch or tea table.” The advertisement

was placed next to an American Flag, no doubt playing on the positive feelings of unityand pride that arise during certain wars (ad shown below right). In 1902 Wallace andWalker sold their business to Mr. I.A.Hanning, who had just arrived in town fromCambridge, Nebraska. The Yamhill County Reporter wrote a feature article on the changein business, noting “they have sold stack and stacks of goods during these years, and have a

very creditable trade throughout. Their work for the future is indefinite, bus as they are good

fellows and business men, they will find openings after a resting spell.”

The St. Charles Store, Nichola Kegg Propr.! In the 1890’s Nichola Kegg opened a grocery store in the old St. Charles Hotel,located at the northwest corner of Baker and Third. The business was fitfully named theSt. Charles Store, and it offered a wide assortment of grocery items. In 1899 the

company advertised flour made of old wheat, sugar from cane, and a wide line of newand fresh goods.They sold coal oil at 17 cents per gallon and offered a healthy line of lamps and decorated dishes. The business also paid $3.75 per dozen for old chickens

and between $1.75 to $2.50 for young chickens. In1899 Nichola had his 18 year old nephew GarnerSpeichler from Shankaville, Pennsylvania, comeand assist him as clerk in the grocery business. In1900 the newspaper noted that “The St. Charles

Store is located on one of the most prominent corners in

the city and is known for its good stock and reasonable

prices.” The St. Charles Store released theadvertisement at left in 1902, noting their line of

groceries as well as some general merchandise thatwould “outfit campers and coasters in good style.”The St. Charles Store went out of business in 1903after selling the building to an investor eager to bring the St. Charles Hotel back to life.


Left:1902advertisementforSt.CharlesStore

Right:1899advertisementforSt.CharlesStore




Miles Hendrick

! Miles E. Hendrick, son of Marion B. Hendrick, initially worked in his father’sgeneral merchandise store in Amity. Marion Hendrick started the Amity store in 1888with his son Miles, who at that time was 27. Marion also owned a wheat business,which in the course of time assumed very large proportions. The great flood of 1890destroyed the Wheatland warehouse, yet Marion rebuilt and continued in his business. In 1897 Miles and Marion sold their business and Miles shifted his focus tothe larger market of McMinnville. In November 1897 he started a grocery store with

Mr. B.J.Dresser under the name Dresser and Hendrick’s. They advertised themselvesas dealers in fancy and staple groceries, crockery and glassware. Mr. Dresser hadpreviously been in business in Portland for fifteen years. A business feature thatappeared in an 1898 edition of the Yamhill County Reporter described Hendrick as aman “who takes to the business as cleverly as a duck does to water, and who is as full of

business as a coconut is to milk.” The article goes on to mention that the business “also

handles table delicacies and country produce in season and they cater to the wants of their

customers. The firm’s motto is quick sales and small profits, they preferring many patrons

instead of only a few at large profits.” By 1899 Dresser sold his interests in the business toMiles, making him the sole proprietor of the thriving grocery store. At this point intime Miles started a furniture and undertaking business with a Mr. Briedwell. Thisventure was also successful, and eventually the company would relocate to the

Grange and Farmers Co. building at the corner of 3rd and Baker. Despite starting afurniture business, Miles focused heavily on his grocery store, advertising heavilythroughout the next decade. In 1899 he asked every wife in town to inspect hishandsome line of crockery and glassware, Dresden China, Theo Haviland Frenchware, and the “largest and best stock of lamps in the county.” During the Christmasseason of 1899 he advertised the many gift-worthy knickknacks that he had for sale,such as hand decorated opal glove, cuff, collar and handkerchief boxes, rose bowls,comb and brush trays, cologne bottles, hair pins, bon bon boxes, manicure trays andpuff boxes. Business continued steadily for the next few years, and in 1904 he added acomplete line of dry goods to the business. Part of this new line included a widevariety of furs. His business also supported local farmers by paying 35 cents for 2-pound rolls of butter and 21 cents per dozen for eggs. Business continued at least

through 1910, at which time he was advertising the dry goods line of his businessmore so than the grocery line. One such advertisement was for the Queen QualityShoe (shown at right). Miles Hendrick resided at 735 NE Cowls St.

P.M. Flynn

! Little is known about P.M.Flynn (full name unknown). It is clear that he wasin business during the 1890’s as a dealer in groceries. Clearly business was profitableenough for Flynn to build a large store in 1900 on the southwest corner of Baker andThird. His new business was large enough to sell a wide line of general merchandise

in addition to his regular grocery stock. Uponopening the store, he posted a large ad in theReporter stating “I am now ready for business and will

be pleased to have the public call and examine our newstock. Cash or merchandise in exchange for farm

produce.” Flynn was still advertising in 1904,although at a lower rate than before. Withinanother year he no longer is mentioned in thepaper or city directory.


Above:DresserandHendrickGonthirdstreetin1898.

Below:TwoofHendrick’sadvertisementsafterbecoming

proprietorofhisgroceryanddrybusiness

Left:Flynn’sstoreat3rdandBaker,knownasFlynnBlock

Right:1904Flynnadvertisement




And Many More...! Due to the high turnover rate of McMinnville grocery merchants, there is very incomplete information concerning businesses and their proprietors. Many of the following businessmen stayed in McMinnville for a relatively short period oleaving behind only a smattering of advertisements and the sporadic archived photograph. The following is an attemmention those merchants that served the McMinnville community at one time or another between 1895 and 1910.


Laughlin’s Grocery Store! Leslie Laughlin, seen above, owned a grocery storecirca 1906 next to the post office. An advertisement from thetime period stated “Don’t blame the cook every time a dish is not

exactly to your taste; don’t imagine things are not just as they

should be in the kitchen. If you long for the clean and wholesome

flavor see that your groceries are the best; that they are pure, fresh

and clean; and if you wish to be sure that your groceries are the best

buy them of Leslie Laughlin, The up-to-date grocer.” By 1911Laughlin had become partners with Jenny Setton. Their new business was named Laughlin Setton Grocery. A rare

photograph of the interior of a McMinnville grocery storeshows Setton and Laughlin amongst their products. A largePearline Washing Detergent sign hangs from the ceiling, and alarge stock of canned, boxed and bottled goods line theshelves behind them. Inside the glass case are baked goodsand a full line of cigars.

!

Family Grocery Store! J. Harv. Henderson, successor to L. Root, operatFamily Grocery Store on Third street circa 1903. Hisadvertisement in the Reporter notes his position as “deale

fresh goods, groceries, flour, bacon, and glassware and crocker

Goods delivered to purchasers in the city.”

Christensen Bros. Grocery! Located on the northwest corner of 3rd and BakChristensen Bros. Grocery operated circa 1907. It was ow by brothers Anton and Peter Christensen. Anton residedElm Street. Their store is seen in the photograph below.

New Age Bakery, J. Nowak & Son! In 1904 the New Age Bakery, owned by J. NowaSon, advertised sunset ice cream. No other information known about the bakery or how long it existed.

!





B.F. Cannon! In 1903, B.F.Cannon operated the City Bakery andConfectionary. His advertisement noted Portland Bread as aspecialty and a good line of fine candies and cigars. The 1900census lists two other bakers that never advertised their businesses; 23 year-old Henry Mostert of Missouri and 69year-old Joseph Egle of Germany.

Fish and Poultry Market! Harley A. Palmer operated the McMinnville Fish andPoultry Market between 1900 and 1902. The business waslocated in the brick building adjoining the McMinnville

National Bank. He occasionally advertised in the Reporter hisdesire for farmers to take their poultry, eggs and produce tothe fish and poultry market in order to receive the highestprice. By 1903 the business had transferred into the hands of the Lambert Bros.

Weed’s Grocery! In 1894 C.M. Weed opened a new grocery store onthird street. His opening advertisement noted five pounds of raisins for a quarter, Costa Rica coffee priced at 25 cents perpound, and a healthy selection of cabbage, cauliflower,

strawberries, and potatoes. By 1896 Weed is no longermentioned in the paper, likely indicating his closure of business.

!

Rittenhouse Confectioners! In 1913, Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Rittenhouse operatedcandy and tobacco store on first street. They are shown i business in the photograph below.

Pleasant Wright the Confectioner! Pleasant P. Wright, born 1872 in Oregon, operateconfectionary on third street between 1900 and 1915. In he advertised “Chocolate chips. Everybody is fond of chips. W

have made up a fine assortment for this week’s special. A good

carpenter is known by his chips. So also is a good confectioner

carry out this idea. Our window display for this week will be

interesting. SEE IT! P.P.Wright. Maker of captivating confect

Wright resided at 707 NE Davis.

Arthur Smith! Mr. Arthur Smith operated a confectionary on thsouth side of third street between Baker and Cowls. The business sold a broad selection of candy, soft drinks, and

tobacco. What made Smith particularly notable is the fache was blind.



S E Q U O I A C L U B

34 Nullam arcu leo,

Fruit JarsGrocers sold both empty fruit jars,

typically by the dozen, as well as reusable jars pre-filled with any variety of

contents. They were often used until broken, although the occasional whole

example does turn up in digs, such as theEverlasting Jar above.

ExtractsFlavoring extracts from over ten different

companies have been excavated inMcMinnville. The example shown abovewas put out by the Northrup and Sturgis

Company of Portland, Oregon.

PicklesSan Francisco-based Pacific Vinegar andPickle Works distributed several of theirproducts throughout Oregon. The bottleabove likely contained pickles and dates

to the 1890’s

CapersCapers are the cooked and pickled flower

buds of a bramblelike southern Europeanshrub. Used to flavor food, they werevery popular in the Victorian era and

were packaged in tall fluted green bottles.

Root BeerBefore selling root beer in liquid form,Hires sold root beer powder in smallglass bottles for brewing root beer at

home. The product was very popular andthe bottles are often found in local pits.

Olive OilAs is still the case today, olive oil was

very popular at the turn of the twentiethcentury. Most olive oil bottles are tall,skinny and aqua. The Allen and LewisCompany of Portland put out a line of

pure olive oils around 1900 in theattractive bottle seen above.

Worcestershire SauceLea and Perrin’s Worcestershire

reached the height of its popularitlate Victorian era. Hoards of the bhave been discovered locally, as w

several competitors that tried toaway some of their business

Malted MilkHorlick’s malted milk was very p

in the early 1900’s. Based in RaWisconsin, the company had natio

distribution.

Clam TeaIt is unclear what clam tea was, butwenty small bottles from three diWashington companies appeared

excavations

Bottled Merchandise, 1895-1910The products sold at grocery stores often came in glass containers. The following are a few food-related bottles tha

been discovered in McMinnville, offering an insightful look at local consumption habits



S

The Hardware Store in McMinnville! A variety of businessmen operated McMinnville-based businesses selling tools,threshers, stoves, mowers, and other durable equipment. The majority of thesehardware merchants also sold products necessary for survival in the great untamednorthwest, such as camping supplies, ammunition, and fishing tackle. Several of thesehardware merchants, such as Orange Hodson and Samuel Manning, servedMcMinnville for decades and built up very reputable and competitive businesses in theprocess. Others stayed in McMinnville only for a brief period, often forced out of business due to the competitive business atmosphere. The 1900 census lists as hardwaremerchants Walter Wade, R.M. Wade, Noah Ferguson, Franz Ferguson, Orange Hodson,Edward Breidwell, Samuel Manning, C.D. Johnson, and F.W. Spencer. Many of thesehardware merchants also were blacksmiths and tinsmiths, which certainly contributedto their profits.

Manning Brothers! The Manning Brothers, comprised of Samuel and E.F. Manning, started theirsuccessful hardware and farm implement store in McMinnville in 1876. Samuel startedthe business at the young age of 23, having come to Oregon from Iowa only a yearprior. It was not until 1895 that his brother entered into the partnership. As mentionedin an 1898 business feature in the Yamhill County Reporter , “Everything is kept in stock

from a tack hammer to a threshing machine, and they will not be undersold by any other house

in McMinnville. The specialities of Manning Bros. are hardware, stoves, tinware, agricultural

implements and farm machinery of all kinds, and they also operate a first-class tinshop inconnection with their mammoth establishment... Among the standard of their large stock, kept

constantly on hand and sold at a reasonable margin of profit, may be mentioned the Bridge-

Beach line of grand superior stoves, White sewing machines, Clauss shears, razors and cutlery,

tinsmith and graniteware, barbed wire, etc.” The Manning Brothers also were local dealersof John Deere riding and walking plows, Columbus Buggies and Carriages, and a fullline of harnesses. Despite their success, the brothers mutually dissolved theirpartnership in 1899. By 1901 the business closed for unreported reasons.

!

Hardware MerchantsNumerous local businessmen catered to the demands of consumers by providi

tools, farm implements, stoves, and other durable goods

Above:An1880’ssketchofSamManning’soriginalhardwareslocatednearthesouthwestcorthirdandCowlsnextdoortoGr

Bakery

Below:An1898ManningBradvertisementforBridge-Besuperiorstoves,“theoldests

makersintheworld.”

The1890photographatrightshowsthirdstreetwithaparade

ofJohnDeereimplements.This waslikelyan

elaborateadvertisingcampaignputonbySamuelManning




O.O. Hodson

! Orange O. Hodson was born in Indiana on May 27, 1857. He came toOregon in 1878 and to McMinnville in 1880. His father had come to town oneyear prior and started a hardware business. Orange started his professional lifeat the employ of his father, who taught him the tinner’s trade. In time Hodson became a very distinguished tinsmith and used his knowledge of the subject asthe cornerstone to his hardware career. He married Nellie Boyce in 1881 andtogether they had a daughter, Edna. In 1888 he purchased his father’s interests

in the hardware business at the corner of 3rd and Cowls and continued toexpand the product line while also contracting and manufacturing the roofingand galvanized cornices that adorn many of the old buildings on third street.He frequently advertised in the Yamhill County Reporter, which in 1892described the scope of his business as, “O.O. Hodson, Dealer in Hardware,

Cutlery, Stoves and Tinware. House Furnishing goods, paints, oils and glass, gas and

steam fittings, paints, etc. Sash, doors and blinds, galvanized iron, tin and metal work

of every description.” He advertised heavily throughout the 1890’s and early1900’s, bringing notice to iron beds (“marked down from $3.50 to $3.00”),Columbia airtight heaters, ammunition, camping supplies, cameras, and evenrocking chairs. The wide assortment of goods carried by Hodson made him avery successful and profitable businessman, allowing him to build his beautiful

house at 533 N. Davis Street in 1892. Hodson passed away in 1923 afterspending over four decades in business in McMinnville. Shown below are avariety of his advertisements placed in the Yamhill County Reporter between1895 and 1905. Hodson himself is seen in the 1890’s photograph below left.

H A R D W A R E M E R C H A N T S

Above:An1880’ssketchofHodson’sbusinessonthirdstreet

Below:Hodson’shouseat533Davis




R.M. Wade & Co.

! This hardware store was started in 1890 and “has ever since been part of

a large and increasing trade” (Yamhill County Reporter , 1898). It offered everythingin the line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, cutlery, nails, pumps, blacksmiths’ materials, paints, oils, etc. Like most other local hardware stores,it ran a tinshop in connection with the establishment. Wade also offeredwagons and buggies as well as Gendron, Crescent and Reliance bicycles. The1900 census lists Walter Wade as hardware merchant but no mention of R.M.

Wade, indicating that Walter had become the main proprietor of the business by the turn of the century. The company rarely advertised, and no recordremains to indicate when the firm went out of business.

Noah Ferguson

! Noah Ferguson was born in 1867 in Nebraska. He came toMcMinnville at a young age and originally was a blacksmith until opening ahardware and farm implement store in the late 1890’s. His brother FranzFerguson joined him as partner in the business, and together they sold wagons,mowers, buggies and farm implements from their store on third street.Business was slow for the pair, and in the early 1900’s they moved to EastPortland. In 1904 Franz moved to Salem while Noah came back to McMinnvilleto try his hand at carriage and wagonmaking. The business venture was a pooridea due to the emergence of automobiles in the early 1900’s. Soon after 1904all record of Ferguson disappears.

C.D. Johnson

! Mr. C.D. Johnson came to McMinnville in 1865 from Canada. Heengaged as a blacksmith and kept at this trade for over three decades, at onetime operating two shops on Baker Street. In 1897 he sold his blacksmithing business to a Mr. Sutherland and opened a new business with a Mr. Nelsonmanufacturing and selling wagons, buggies and agricultural implements (ad atright). He was an active member of the community, having served as mayorand on city council. In 1899 he was advertising bargains on his buggies andsurries, and by 1900 went out of business (Johnson’s closing ad seen at right).

F.W. Spencer! Little is known about Mr. F.W. Spencer. Records indicate that he began business in 1896 as a dealer in agricultural implements and farm machinery. In1900 he advertised in the Yamhill County Reporter his line of Rambler bicycles atprices of $20 to $40. The Reporter noted in the summer of 1900 that “F.W.

Spencer has sold over 100 bicycles this season.” Clearly bicycles were a profitableside-venture for hardware stores. Spencer also heavily advertised his line of threshers, wire fencing and fishing tackles.

H A R D W A R E M E R C H A N T S

Above:NoahFerguson’shouseat141SIrvineSt.

Below:Acirca1900adforFerguson,largelyadvertisingfarmimplements

Above:Johnson’sclosingadvertisementfrom1900

Below:Twocirca1902advertisementsputoutbyF.W.Spencer



S

The Hotel in McMinnville! McMinnville’s earliest established accommodation was the St. Charles Hotel,which stood on the northwest corner of Baker and third street. It served the communityfrom at least the late 1870’s through the mid 1890’s, when it shut down and wasreplaced by The St. Charles Store, a grocery and general merchandise business owned by Nichola Kegg. The grocery lasted until 1903, when proprietor F. Multnor tried torevive the hotel. He listed an advertisement in the Yamhill County Reporter stating “New

Hotel! New Furniture! Unsurpassed in the country. Rates- $1 to $2 per day according to room.

Single meals 25 cents... fine sample rooms for commercial men. Give me a call and see for

yourself.” Despite Multnor’s attempts, The St. Charles Hotel was clearly past its primeand unable to compete with the city’s two prominent hotels that had emerged in the1880’s, Hotel Yamhill and Commercial Hotel, as well as the brand new Hotel Elbertonthat was finished in 1905. The St. Charles Hotel shut down for good by 1906, converted back into a grocery for the Christensen Brothers. There was also a small hotel located inconjunction with the railroad waiting room. It was constructed upon completion of theline to Corvallis in 1879. Trains would leave Portland in the morning, stop inMcMinnville for lunch and then continue on to Corvallis, with return service offeredthe following day.

Cook’s Hotel / Hotel Yamhill! In 1886 L.H. Cook built a three story hotel on the southeast corner of third andEvans streets. The Italianate building had a brick structure and stuccoed exterior, with a

flat roof and a decorative metal cornice. The original hotel had twenty-eight guestrooms, a billiard hall, a bridal chamber, an elaborate second-floor parlor and a largedining room. Cook sold his hotel to an unnamed proprietor around 1890, who renamedthe hotel the West Side Hotel. By 1894 it was in the hands of E. Sanders and calledHotel Yamhill, a name which stuck throughout the next couple decades. Sanders soldthe hotel to Joseph Dubois in 1896, who kept the hotel with the assistance of his agedfather Nathaniel. An 1898 feature story on the hotel in the Yamhill County Reporter notedit as a first class hostelry, popular to commercial travelers and the temporary home of several guests. The article goes on to note that “good fare is served by attentive waiters,

pleasant rooms given and courteous treatment extended, and it is often with reluctance that the

guests leave it. The furnishings and appointments of the hotel are first-class, the cuisine and

service are kept up to the best standard and the terms are moderate.” Joseph DuBois initially

employed three Chinese workers, two black servants and one white clerk. By 1904 hehad become more selective in his hired help, advertising in the paper “white help only

employed.” Traveling salesmen often stayed at Hotel Yamhill and other local hotels.Many would advertise their arrival in the local paper a week in advance, such as thecase of a group of traveling doctors that lodged and practiced from Hotel Yamhill in1898. In 1900 Joseph DuBois repaired an old building in back of the hotel (seen in mapabove right) and made it into an additional lodging house. DuBois also added a hotellaundry in back and a bar accessible by the street. DuBois was largely known for hislarge St. Bernard male dog, which became a very familiar figure at the hotel.

HotelsSeveral local hotels offered fine accommodations for the constant stream of visit

salesmen, entrepreneurs, and the like

Above:Ahotelwasconnectedt waitingroomfortherailroa

Below:HotelYamhillasseenfrostreetandina1902insurance




Commercial Hotel

! George Washington Hendershott, born 1846 in Michigan, took ownership of theCommercial Hotel (Commercial House) at 729 E. 3rd St in 1896. Hendershott was aUnion soldier in the civil war before coming west and eventually settling inMcMinnville. He built a rural vernacular house next to the hotel in 1895 for he and hisfamily to live in. The hotel was originally known as the Douglas Hotel, built just a fewyears prior to Hendershott’s arrival. Hendershott hired several hotel servants,including a young woman named Pearl Harris in 1900. He also hired John Collier to

look after customers’ horses. Hendershott left the business in 1908, although it isunclear who he sold the business to. The hotel is still listed on the 1911 city census.

Hotel Elberton! Local developers Fenton and Link built the Hotel Elberton in 1905 at thecorner of third and Evans. When finished, the Hotel Elberton was the finest lodgingplace in the city, offering 26 guest rooms, a large dining room, banquet room, barbershop, cigar store, ladies’ parlor and gentlemen’s bar. McMinnville went dry in 1909thanks to temperance-minded city officials, thus eliminating the bar from the hotel’smany features. Originally a modest two stories tall, the hotel eventually grew into thefour story Hotel Oregon.!

H O T E L S

Top:CommercialHotelstreetvtakenbefore1900

Above:ThehotelandHendershhouseona1902insurancema

Left:AnaerialviewofHendershhouse(onright)andtheComme

Hotel

Above:An1898advertisementftravelingdoctorstayingatth

CommercialHotel.Thiswasacompracticefortravelingsalesmen

medicalpracticers.

Left:TheinterioroftheElbertonin1919.



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Jewelers

The Jeweler in McMinnville! Whether as an item of personal adornment, a conventional means of wealthstorage or functionally used to hold a garment or hair together, jewelry has long beenpresent in societies around the world. As financial markets developed and theworld’s economies merged, jewelry took on high monetary value and quickly becamea symbol of social status. One must imagine that in the early days of McMinnvillemany wealthy citizens displayed jewelry as a means of signaling their “social status”in the realm of a frontier inhabited by a great smattering of America’s citizens, bothrich and poor. Thus, the jeweler provided them with the means of satisfying suchdesires. Imagine too, a period with no electric clocks or battery-powered watches. Lifemay have been a click slower, but keeping accurate time was still a major necessity ina nation with a consistent competitive economy. It was in times like these that the jeweler offered his services, as most jewelers often repaired and provided watches ingreat quantities. McMinnville has had a jewelry business practically since the beginning. In 1902 jewelers were located at 3rd and Cowls-Davis on the north side of the block and 3rd and Davis-Evans on the south side of the block. Jewelers listed inthe 1900 census for McMinnville include William Deilschneider, FrancisDeilschneider, Fred Johnson, W.S. Reynolds, and David Smith. Smith had been a jeweler and watch maker in McMinnville since 1890 and built up a solid businesssince his beginnings. In addition to these men was 25-year-old Ralph Hebert, whoadvertised his ability to repair watches. By 1904 two more jewelers advertised in theYamhill County Reporter: I.O. Alderman and J.A.Richards. Yet the most popular andsuccessful jewelers of the time period were the Dielschneider brothers, who by 1898were hailed as the leading jewelers and opticians on the west side outside of

Portland.




J E W E L E R S

Wm. F. Dielschneider & Bro.! William Holl established a jewelry and watch-repair business inMcMinnville in 1879. In 1888 William Dielschneider apprenticed himself to Holl tolearn the business. In addition to his apprenticeship, Dielschneider studied at theAmerican Horological Society to master the craft of making clocks and watches.Dielschneider purchased the store from its founder in 1892, as Holl desired to moveto Portland to engage in another line. He released an advertisement in 1892 reading,“Wm. F. Dielschneider. Successor to Wm. Holl. Dealer in clocks, watches, diamonds,

silverware, jewelry, etc. Practical watchmaker. Repairing of all kinds done in dispatch.Engraving a specialty, third st. between B and C.” In the fall of 1892 he moved to thenew Campbell building and his father, Arnold Dielschneider, opened a shoe store inthe same structure. William Dielschneider conducted the business successfully andallowed his younger brother Francis to assist him. In 1896 the two brothers formed apartnership under the name Wm. F. Dielschneider & Bro. The business sold a widevariety of goods, and in years to come they were found advertising watches,diamonds, fountain pens, clocks, vest chains, lockets, rings, brooches, pins, bracelets, and silverware. In 1897 they expanded their business to include spectaclesand eye glasses, a business venture catalyzed by William Dielschneider’s eagernessto become an optician. The company even offered Kodak cameras and supplies for a

period of time in the late 1890’s. In 1904 the business advertised, “Dainty bits of jewelry. Whether it is useful or not, a piece of

jewelry must have grace and beauty. We are

most particular about the designs in our stock-

nothing loud or vulgar finds place here.”! In 1900 William Dielschneider built his home at 610 N. Cowls Street(seen to right). It is an Americanfoursquare with many Queen Anneelements, including a bay window and afront porch with a hexagonal corner.! As seen by the advertisement at

the upper right of this page, watches wereone of the main focuses of many jewelers in 1900. The Yamhill County Museum hasa good number of antique watches in its collection (some seen below). Pocketwatches occasionally are uncovered in dumps and privies. The metal casing of avery intricate pocket watch was discovered in McMinnville in 2008. Seen below left,it has a patent date of 1878 and is in remarkably good condition.

AboveandBelow,circa1900advertisementsforWm.F.Dielschn



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The McMinnville Launderer!

Prior to 1888, McMinnville citizens either did their own laundry, with theaid of a washboard and well or cistern water, or they went to the nearest chineselaundry house. Commercial laundry work in western towns was regularly operated by the Chinese, most of whom came to the west coast in the 1860’s and 1870’s andput to work in dangerous and labor-intensive jobs. 60 percent of Oregon miners inthe 1870’s were Chinese, and when the mining heyday dissipated they worked onthe railroads, built canals and roads, cleared land, and worked in the loggingindustry. By the late 1880’s the Chinese began to see less and less employmentopportunities, coercing many to enter the laundry business. In 1892 there were twoChinese laundry houses in McMinnville, both located at the edge of town on AdamsStreet). The 1900 census lists three men of chinese descent, Wong Yung, Loy Duck and Chun Hee, all listed as “laundry man.” By 1902 only one laundry house

remained, no doubt put under financial strain as a result of the McMinnville SteamLaundry.

McMinnville Steam Laundry! William Lambert, born 1850 in England, came to McMinnville in 1888 andstarted the McMinnville Steam Laundry, a revolutionary and very successfullaundry business. Lambert’s laundry machines were heated by steam and gasolineand are believed to be the first of their kind in the state of Oregon. The McMinnvilleSteam Laundry was located on the east end of Washington Streets next to therailroad tracks (See Fire Insurance map at right). They often advertised theirservices in the newspaper, stating “we wash before we iron, then give your shirts, collars

and cuffs that rich gloss finish that characterizes laundry work.” They also advertised in1900 their ability to clean carpets at 4 cents per running yard. Lambert continue toupdate his machines, and even purchased an automobile around 1910 that was usedto pick up and drop off laundry at the homes of clients. The advent of Lambert’ssteam laundry and subsequent others ultimately led to the disappearance of theChina wash houses, thus removing “a fruitful source of diversion from the mischievous

minded boys of the eighties and nineties who were wont to gather on dark evenings and

throw rocks at the China house” (The West Side, Nov. 2004).

Laundry Services

Left:TheLambertFamilyinfrontheirMcMinnvilleSteamLaund Williamispicturedfourthfrom

littlegirlinthedoor.

Below:Abuggyfor“HomesteaLaundry”,acompetinglaundryse

thatopenedbefore1910andw

locatednearthenorthwestcorneDavisand4th.



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The Livery in McMinnville! A livery yard is a boarding stable where owners pay a daily, weekly or monthlyfee to keep their horses. Liveries were a vital business prior to the wide adoption of automobiles in the early twentieth century. While some hotels offered horse service,most visitors from out of town needed somewhere to leave their horse while staying intown. Additionally, local citizens that did not have the space or desire to personallykeep their horse found it rather easy to board him at the nearest stable. McMinnvillehas had at least two competing stables since the 1870’s, located on third street betweenE and F and at the southwest corner of Fourth and Evans. The economic luxury of

having two livery stables is mentioned in the 1894 book The Oregonian’s Handbook of thePacific Northwest , which notes that “Tourists have the advantage of two good hotels to choose

from in McMinnville and also have the benefit of the competition afforded by two large livery

stables.” The competition helped keep prices low while prompting each livery toincrease the quality and scope of their services. Livery stables often made additionalmoney by offering horses and buggies for hire and also providing on-site veterinarians.These stables provided a healthy source of employment, both for proprietors of the business as well as keepers of the horses. The 1900 census lists as stable keepersEdward Wing, Henry Morgan, Thomas Hayes (stable laborer), James Henry and JohnNewell.! The first “horseless carriage” came to McMinnville in 1903, and by 1912 thetrend had become so widespread that the city elected to pave its streets. Stables werestill operating in 1911, but the industry was quickly becoming outdated and by thetwenties all local liveries had disappeared from McMinnville.

The Livery at Evans and Fourth! James Henry, born 1855 in Indiana, opened a livery with a Mr. Gates at thesouthwest corner of Evans and Fourth Street in the 1880’s. The stables were originallycalled “Gates and Henry Livery.” About 1890 they changed the name to “TheCommercial Livery Stable,” and by 1894 they sold their business to John Newell, born1848 in Illinois. Newell operated the livery in partnership with a Mr. Dehaven. In 1898the local newspaper claimed that, “This livery sale and feed stable on E street between second

and third (fourth and fifth), Dehaven and Newell proprietors, is well equipped, being supplied

with the best stock, buggies and carriages in the city.” By 1900 Mr. Dehaven had given up

his interest in the business and James Henry bought back into the company, operatingwith Newell under the name Commercial Livery. They advertised in 1901 “Everything

new and first class. Conveyance of Commercial Travelers a specialty. Board and stabling by the

day or month. We solicit a fair share of the local patronage .” The two stayed in business together for a few years before selling interest in the company toMssrs. Pratt and Robinson, who renamed the stables McMinnville Livery,Feed and Sale Stables. They advertised in 1903 reasonable rates, “saddle

horses, single and double rigs, at all hours. Transient stock given the best of care.”

It is unclear how long this business operated, as by 1910 the livery wasagain listed as the Commercial Livery Stable.

The Livery StableThe local livery served as the community garage, boarding and caring for horse

daily, weekly and monthly rates

Above:TheCommercialLiveryocorneroffourthandEvans.Tuppermostphotowastakenc

1880’s,whilethelowerphotoisabout1900.

Above:TheoriginaladvertisemeTheCommercialLiveryStable,

1892.

Below:Pratt&Robbins’1903li




The Livery on Third Street

! The original livery on third street was located on the northeast cornerof Davis. By 1889 this land had been cleared in preparation for the constructionof the Union Block building. The livery moved to its longer lasting position onthe south side of third street between E and F, next to DuBois’ Yamhill Hotel. Itwas originally called Henderson Bros.’ Livery, largely run by W.G.Henderson.In the 1890’s Henderson became sheriff of McMinnville and hired S. Wilson aspartner and manager of the City Stables. Their 1899 advertisement, shown at

right, claimed “Everything first class. Horses boarded by day, week or month.Commercial travelers conveyed to all points at most reasonable rates. Give us a call.”

The stables continued under strong management for the next decade, whenpressures from the automobile industry made the livery much more difficult toprofitably maintain. The stable continued operations throughout the teens andfinally fizzled out in the twenties.

L I V E R Y

The Veterinarian in McMinnville! Both of the McMinnville liveriesoffered veterinarian service at various times.Dr. H. Nunn, graduate of the Ontario Vet.College, came to McMinnville in 1902 andfirst started services at the City Stables. By1904 he has teamed up with a Dr. Davis andstarted the Oregon Veterinary Hospital on Bstreet. About this time veterinarian G. F.Korinek came to town and set up his office atthe Commercial Stables. Local drugstoresalso offered remedies for animal ailments.The bottle to the right is embossed PrussianSpavin Remedy. Dating to the late 1890’s, itwas marketed to provide pain relief toosteoarthritic growths in the hock of a horse.!

ThesetwophotographsshowthetwomainMcMinnvilleliveries(Commercialatleft,CityStableatright)



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The Mill in McMinnville!

McMinnville’s very beginnings can be traced to the grist mill of William T. Newby, who built his mill in 1853 after getting permission of theterritorial legislature to turn some of the water from Baker Creek into CozineCreek by means of a ditch. The mill was located where the city park is today,serving as an established business that spawned the growth and developmentof nearby third street. The grist mill changed ownership over the years andeventually spawned into the very successful Star Flouring Mill. In addition togrist mills, lumber mills also proved to be a lucrative source of revenue forearly Yamhillers. As mentioned in the Oregonian’s Handbook to the Pacific

Northwest , “The coast range of mountains west of the place is dotted with sawmills the

output of which is nearly all brought to McMinnville. McMinnville furnishes supplies

used at these mills and lumber camps. The sawing of this timber will always prove a

source of great revenue to Yamhill county and to the city which is the principal trading center of this rich section of country.” A very cohesive relationship was had between McMinnvilleand the sawmills, with the town providing the necessary labor and capital in exchangefor a seemingly infinite supply of lumber that was used to build the railroads, business buildings, houses, and even sidewalks. Indeed, milling provided a hefty constituency of local employment. The 1900 census listed seventeen local men involved with mills asowners, engineer or laborers, although this number is well below the actual employmentrate because it only takes into consideration those who resided within city limits.

Star Flouring Mill! The Star Flouring Mill was a direct descendent of William T. Newby’s original

grist mill. Newby sold his grist mill in the 1860’s to Robert Kinney, who sold it to WilliamSmith in 1868. Soon thereafter Smith sold the mill to John Sax. The economic breadth of the mill expanded during Sax’s ownership. Sax was responsible for building the large brick mill on the other side of the creek in 1884. The new mill was a large four story brick structure with power propelled by water. In 1890 he sold the much larger mill, formallyknown as the McMinnville Milling Company, to David Stout for $10,000. During Stout’sownership the favorite brand of flour produced by the company was the Star Brand. Theproduct was so popular with customers that by 1894 the mill was referred to as Star Mill. John Martin sold his interests in the company to Henry M. Daniel on September 17, 1894.The Daniel family held interest in the company until it closed its doors years later. HenryDaniel came west from Minnesota in 1873, gaining experience in milling at the TrullingerMill in Yamhill and a flouring mill in Lafayette. He maintained half interest in Star Mill

from 1894 to 1902, at which time he became sole owner in the mill after purchasing DavidStout’s half share. The mill dealt largely in grain, flour and feed, and also had thecapacity to store all of their product on-site. The capacity of the mill was 125 barrels of flour daily, and large shipments were regularly made to San Francisco and Japan. In 1898,1,500 barrels of flour were shipped to Japan in the course of only one month. Star Millalso manufactured a line of breakfast foods, branded as Germania and Wheatlet. In 1904they paid farmers 80 cents per bushel of wheat. The company was officially incorporatedin 1908, just a few months prior to Henry’s death at the ripe age of 80. His son IvanDaniel continued management of the mill in partnership with Isaac Lambright until the business came to an end in 1925 after a devastating fire.

Mills

Above:TheStarMillasitappthe1892FireInsuranceM

Below:StarMillsasseenfrodifferentanglescirca1900,and

ofunknownmillworke




The Atlas Milling Company

! The Atlas Milling Company Flour Mill and Warehouse was located on fifth streetnear the intersection of Lafayette Avenue. The mill was originally known as Barnekoff andAllyn’s Flouring Mill in 1889 and the McMinnville Flouring Mill in 1892. In 1895 itassumed the name of Atlas Flouring Mill upon acquisition by Messrs. C.C. Kohlmeier andV. Kratz of Los Angeles. Mr. Kratz served as local agent of the mill, which was powered by steam and had capacity of 150 barrels per day. The firm secured the first premium onflour for Yamhill County at the World’s Colombian Exposition in Chicago. The company

dealt heavily in flour, bran, shorts, wheat, and oats, all of which were regularly shipped to Japan and other ports. With its warehouse located on the railroad tracks, Atlas Millingreceived inside freight rates, enabling it to supply the market at prices that could not beduplicated by competitors.

Houck and Houck Grain and Produce Warehouse! W.S. Houck ran the McMinnville Flouring Mill, the warehouse of which waslocated next to the railroad tracks between third and fourth streets. The mill was inoperation at least by 1901. In 1904 they advertised in the business directory “ McMinnville

Flouring Mills, Houck and Houck, Manufacturers of Pride of the Valley Flour, Dealers in Grain,

Hay, Potatoes and Wool.” Their business was doing so well by 1904that their warehouse did not haveenough capacity to store all of thegrain. They mentioned theirdilemma in the Yamhill County

Reporter , noting that they werefilling everything about the railroadyards with grain and were in talkswith Southern Pacific to store grainin some of their empty boxcars. The business was still listed in the 1911directory.

Jones and Adams Lumber Firm / Mill

! G.W. Jones and F.G. Adams operated an extensive mill and sash and doorfactory at the western foot of third street, as well as the Nestucca Saw Mill nineteenmiles west of the city. Mr. Jones conducted business at the Nestucca site while Mr.Adams focused on business concerns downtown. The business was noted in an 1898Yamhill County Reporter business feature, which noted that “the pay roll of this firm is

larger than that of all manufacturers in the city combined. Over forty men are regularly in their

employ and during the summer forty or fifty teams are employed hauling lumber down from the

mill.” The mill in town was manned by a force of skillful mechanics capable of turningout a line of woodwork suited to “every style of building from the modest cottage to the most

elegant mansion.” The lumber yard and store at the foot of third street furnishedeverything needed for the building of houses- lumber, shingles, sash, door, glass, paints,oil, varnishes, etc. As noted in the newspaper article, Jones andAdams “have furnished the materials that have been used in the

construction of public buildings in McMinnville, as well as 90% of

all the building material used in the country for years back, giving

universal satisfaction in every instance. Their success is largely due

to the fact that they are gentlemen of practical existence, of the

strictest integrity, and with whom it is a pleasure to do business.”Clearly the Jones and Adams Lumber Firm was a vital andsuccessful business in the community, as well as the economicpowerhouse for local development in the late 1800’s and earlytwentieth century.

M I L L S

Top:AtlasMillingCo.asitappethe1902fireinsurancemap

Above:Mr.W.S.Houckinhiso

Left:AgraindeliveryatHouckHouck’sGrainWarehouse,circaposteronthesideofthebuildingthattheannualcircusiscomin

town

Below:HouckandHouck’sGraiProduceWarehouseasitappea

the1902fireinsurancemap

Bottom:JonesandAdams’Lum

YardandPlaningMill,1902.Ada



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The Photographer in McMinnville! Photography, derived from the greek words “fos” (light) and “grafo” (todraw), found its beginnings in the first half of the 1800’s. The process was rapidlyrefined and improved throughout the nineteenth century. Perhaps the greatestadvancement in transforming photography into an accessible hobby was the inventionof roll film in 1884 by George Eastman of Rochester, New York. Eastman successfullydeveloped dry gel on paper to replace the photographic plate so that a photographerno longer needed to carry boxes of plates and toxic chemicals around. By July 1888Eastman perfected the Kodak camera, the first camera designed specifically for rollfilm. Prior to roll film, the average photographer had to fund an impressive amount of overhead in order to run his business. Few businesses carried the expensive chemicalsneeded to support the messy process. Yet by 1892 Eastman had formed the EastmanKodak Company in New York, which was the first company to mass produce

standardized photography equipment. With high supply to every corner of the nation,the hobby rapidly expanded during the 1890‘s. Eastman would continue to produceuser-friendly cameras, such as the Kodak Brownie in 1901.! The new photography technologies catalyzed by George Eastman were mostreadily adopted by young entrepreneurs. The business must have been attractive totwenty-somethings looking for a potentially lucrative trade that required littleoverhead. Very little inventory had to be kept, and often times photographers simplyoperated out of makeshift photo labs. The map to the top right shows a 1902 dwelling,located on the south side of 3rd between Highway 99 and Baker, with a photo tent inthe backyard. Advertising records indicate that the city saw a very rapid turnover inphotographers, with the average photographer advertising for about a six-monthperiod before disappearing from records. Records indicate that a photographer withthe last name Alvord operated in McMinnville around 1895. The photo to the rightwas taken by Alvord and depicts local dentist George Wright in front of his prizedracing bicycle. In 1899, a year before the national census, photographers by the namesof I.N. Hobbs and S. Hobson advertised their services in the local newspaper. Hobbstouted “High class photography a specialty. I am located next door to RM. Wade & Co. and

am here to do good work and give satisfaction.Terms reasonable.”Hobson went for a morehumorous approach, as shown in his 1899 advertisement below.

Photographers

Aphototentappearsbehindadwonthirdstreetinthis1902ma

An1895photographbyAlvordabovbelow,acirca1899photographby

Hobbsofanunidentifiedchil




! The 1900 census lists several photographers: Asa Harris, 26 from Texas, Josephine Gardner, 24 from Oregon, and Vernum Grinnold, 24 from Ohio. Of thephotographers listed in the census, only Asa Harris advertised in The Yamhill County

Reporter. In 1902 he had joined in business with his brother and advertised“Harris

Bros.havemoved theirgalleryfromthearmoryto third streetoppositethewingstables.

Finephotosatpopularprices.” The record of photographers in McMinnville becomesincreasingly sporadic after this point. In 1904 photographers Cheney and Krumadvertised their services. in 1909 A. Jensen put out an advertisement, and the 1911phone directory lists only one photographer by the name of J.H.Williams. It appears

as though by around 1910 the city could only economically support onephotographer at a time. The cost effectiveness of Eastman’s Kodak Brownie camerareleased in 1901 meant that higher end families simply bought their own camera andsupplies, subtracting from the much higher demand for professional photographyservices experienced up to 1901.! Kodak products were primarily carried by McMinnville businessman WalterHembree. In 1902 Hembree started advertising himself as the Kodak Headquarters of Yamhill County. He advertised in the Yamhill County Reporter on a very consistent basis his stock of cameras and all necessary supplies “at lowest prices.” Hembreeoriginally opened business under the title Stationer, offering ink, pens, paper, books,chalk, etc. However, the photography trade clearly became a major source of revenue

for Hembree, as indicated by his robust advertising campaign that lasted well intothe 19-teens. Below are a few of his advertisements depicting Kodak cameras andassociated supply kits. To the right are two circa 1900 bottles put out by the EastmanKodak Company. These bottles contained some of the chemicals needed to developthe film. Both of these bottles were found locally and most likely were used by theaforementioned local photographers.

!

P H O T O G R A P H E R S

EastmanKodakchemicalbottlesfr



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The McMinnville Doctor!

As is the case with any city, McMinnville required the unwavering servicesof doctors that could aid the many complaints and injuries of the county’sresidents. While some of the doctors stayed in McMinnville for only a short periodof time, others spent their entire professional lives in the city. Advertising recordsprovide the greatest insight into physicians and surgeons that only stayed a shortperiod of time. Dr William Vose, born 1870 in New York, advertised in 1900 “Vose

andClark,PhysiciansandSurgeons.Of:icesinWrightBlock,overChicagostore.” Dr.J.E.

Bartelpracticedforafewyears inrooms 7& 8ofUnionBlock inthelate1890’s. As

seenin theadvertisement above right, Bartel specialized indiseases ofwomenand

children, stomach troubles, prostate diseases and ruptures. In 1900 he gave up

medicine andadvertised his plans to relocateto Portlandto “engagein theworkof

installing acetylenegas plants.”Acetyleneis a colorlesshydrocarbon gas that burns

brightly. It was used inearlyforms oflighting, althoughquicklyfell out ofstyle in

favor of less dangerous forms of energy. Other doctors mentioned only brie<ly in

censusandadvertisingrecordsfrom1895to1905includeDr.ArthurVial(Physician

andSurgeon), Dr.J.J.Wilkens (osteopathic physician), Dr. J.H.Jessen(physician), Dr.

DanielClark,and Dr.Horatio Johnson. Thereare no records to indicate that any of

thesemenstayedinMcMinnvillelongerthanafewyearseach.Theyclearlymusthave

foundMcMinnvilleacompetitivearena fortheirservices,particularlydue toseveral

well established local doctors. Additionally, McMinnville brie<ly was graced by the

presenceofProfessorT.J.Allenandhiswife,whoadvertisedthemselvesasrenowned

magnetic healers in 1904 (above right). Their medicine-free approach claimed to

“curealldiseases,”yetunfortunatelyforthemitfailedtocurethelackofdemandfrom

locals.

Dr. James Baker

! Dr. James Baker, born 1852 on Prince Edward Island in Canada, moved toMcMinnville in 1889 as a homeopathic physician. As a trustee to McMinnvilleCollege, he made the selfless act of giving his life savings to the college as opposedto taking a massive sightseeing tour of Europe. Baker passed away in 1911 aftertwenty-two years of service in the city.

Dr. John Michaux! Dr. John C. Michaux, born 1858 in Tennessee, studied at the KentuckySchool of Medicine. After graduation he established himself at Lafayette beforecoming to McMinnville in 1899. His office was established first in the Wright Block and subsequently in Union Block, where he continued in practice until his death in1930. The Yamhill County Historical Society has Michaux’s diploma on display.

Dr. James H. Cook! Dr. James Cook was born in 1865 in Oregon near McMinnville. His fatherwas a pioneer of 1852. James graduated from McMinnville College in 1890 and theUniversity of Oregon in 1895. He began practice in McMinnville in 1896 in the Jacobson Block of third street, where he practiced until his death. He was a business partner during the earlier years of his practice with Elbert Cable, born1869 in Kansas. The duo advertised heavily in the Yamhill County Reporter from1899 to 1901 (ad shown at right). He was a trustee of Linfield College, donating anice sum of money to the institution (hence the name Cook Hall). In 1909 he built ahouse at 221 S. Cowls Street, a basic square bungalow with a variety of casement,

Physicians and Surgeons

Above:Dr.JohnMichauxinhiMcMinnvilleUnionBlockoffic

Below:Michaux’scirca1905advertisementintheYamhillCou

Reporter




Dr. Elmer E. Goucher! Dr. Elmer E. Goucher is historically viewed as McMinnville’s mostdistinguished and outstanding physician. He was born in 1858 in Amity, Oregonto Dr. G.W. Goucher. After studying medicine, he started his practice in 1883and continued until his death in 1936. Over the course of his lifetime hewitnessed a large transformation both to medicine as well as to the community.During the earlier years of his practice until 1900 he was a partner with Dr. J.F.Calbreath. Calbreath and Goucher operated over Braly’s Bank on third

street(later called Yamhill County Bank). Both Calbreath and Goucher quickly became known for their excellence. Goucher understood the necessities of cleanwater and was a major proponent for the city’s adoption of a cleaner watersystem. An outbreak of Typhoid fever in the late 1880’s prompted the city totake action, and by 1889 a new system of delivering water from the SouthYamhill River was installed. This system lasted until 1911, when a more effectiveand healthy water source was tapped in the hills west of the city. In the 1890’s,Goucher purchased a half share in a local grain warehouse just east of therailroad tracks. He sold the interests to a Mr. Houck in 1902. In 1899, Goucher’spartner Calbreath was hired as the superintendent of the state mental asylum inSalem. The community was very supportive of Calbreath’s accomplishment andran a large congratulatory article on the front page of the Yamhill County

Reporter. ! After Calbreath’s departure, Goucher initially took a short leave of absence from his duties to travel to Nome, Alaska to search for gold. Tens of thousands of men were persuaded by a similar idea, and the dreams of abundant riches soon came crashing down for the majority of them under suchintense competition. However, Goucher was a successful businessman and hada large amount of capital to invest. With dreams of Alaskan gold dashed, heswitched his focus to mining in his home state. He purchased a mine adjacent toGolden Eagle in Malheur County, south-central Oregon, with an estimatedworth in quartz of $1,500,000. He started the Manhattan Mining and MillingCompany with headquarters in McMinnville and himself as president. Heoffered to the public stock at ten cents per share in order to raise funds to beginmining prospects. Research provided fruitless in garnering the rest of the story,although it is believed that Goucher sold his stake in the company to easterncapitalists for a strong profit.! In addition to other business ventures, Goucher continued to build hispractice as a physician and surgeon. He was a good surgeon and did muchsurgery on kitchen tables and on a surgical table, which he loaded into his buggy and took to the houses of his surgical cases before a hospital was formed.He purchased his buggy in 1889 from S.C. Force, a local buggy manufacturer.He operated out of his office above the McMinnville National Bank, advertisinghis ability to respond to calls both day and night. In 1910 the demand for acentral hospital prompted Goucher to start the McMinnville Hospital out of a

converted residence. It was located near Linfield College between Adams andBaker streets, about where the Walgreens stands today (2010). Funds wereraised on a subscription basis, membership “tickets” which provided formedical attention, $10 per year for adults and $5 for children. Goucher openedthe hospital in 1911 with Dr. J.Lee Wood as his partner and a healthy staff of nurses. The building was renovated in 1922 to offer 25 beds, and Gouchercontinued to work there until his death in 1936. He was a very well respectedleader in the community. As noted in his obituary, “Goucher’s record as a country

town doctor compares with the epics of similar American medical practicers, but he

considered it all a part of a day’s work and was loth to talk about personal experiences.

He was a kindly man, a good doctor, and a leader in the development of the community.”

P H Y S I C I A N S A N D S U R G E O N S

Above:TheMcMinnvilleNationalBbuildingwhereGoucherpracticedsignwith“DrGoucher”pointsupstairstotheleftofthebankentran

Dr.Goucher(secondfromleft),Dr Wood(thirdfromright)andtheirtea

ofnursesoutsideMcMinnvilleHospital.



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The McMinnville Saloon

! From its beginnings in the mid-1800‘s up until city prohibition in 1910,McMinnville boasted a healthy supply of saloons that catered to the vices of localresidents and visitors. In addition to offering a wide selection of wines, beer, hardliquor and cigars, most of the saloons offered billiard and card rooms inconnection with the establishment. 1892 fire insurance maps illustrate threesaloons, and by 1902 maps show four, all located on third street between Bakerand Evans.

W.E. Martin! In the 1890’s, W.E. Martin advertised his saloon as being the finest in thecity, made notable because it offered “Pabst Millwaukee Beer on draught.” The 1900census does not list Martin, indicating that he likely sold his business to one of thehandful of barkeepers in the city at this time. His 1892 advertisement is shownabove right. It is unclear what Martin’s saloon was named or where on third streetit was located.

Edward Willis and Daniel Feeley! Edward H. Willis, born 1856 in Canada, operated the Etna saloon on thirdstreet with Daniel Feeley as his bartender. Feeley was born 1871 in Illinois andmade his way west to explore new economic opportunities. The pair started their business in the mid 1890’s. A 1901 liquor license in records at the Yamhill CountyHistorical Society shows that Willis and Feeley paid the hefty sum of $400 to thecity of McMinnville for a one-year liquor license. The license permits the sale of “malt liquors in quantities less than one quart” and is signed by Frank Rogers, thelocal druggist who at the time was city recorder.

Thomas McCourt and Elvin Underwood! Thomas McCourt, an Oregon native born in 1864, owned and operatedthe Imperial Saloon. His bartender was Elvin Underwood, born 1857 in Illinois. In1899 McCourt advertised their stock of Gambrinus Beer (ad seen below).Gambrinus Beer was brewed by Louis Feurer on 22nd street in Portland. KingGambrinus is known as the patron saint of beer, a symbol used by many brewersin American history to remind consumers of the rich heritage of beer-making.Interestingly enough, an empty bottle of Gambrinus Beer was discovered in alocal McMinnville dump dating to the time of The Imperial Saloon (bottle shownat right). It is highly likely that this very bottle was sold at McCourt’sestablishment.

Saloons

Above:An1892advertisementfrsaloonkeeperW.E.Martin

Below:A1901LiquorlicenseforWandFeeley




George Sauter! George Sauter owned and operated Dutch George’s Saloon, which waslocated on the north side of third street near the corner of Cowls. His 1899advertisement, seen to the right, indicates that in addition to liquor he alsooffered a wide variety of cheese. Sauter is seen standing in the doorway of hisestablishment in the photograph below. The stairs to the left of the saloon wentup to the Masonic Hall, which was located above the establishment. The building to the left of the saloon was a second hand store in 1900, and by 1902

is listed as a confectionary. This particular site is listed as a saloon on mapsclear back to 1884. It is unclear whether Sauter operated the saloon at that timeor merely converted it into Dutch George’s Saloon sometime before themid-1890’s.

A. Schilling! A. Schilling (full first name unknown) operated the Boss Saloon (laterrenamed North Star Saloon) from the early 1880’s to prohibition. His saloonwas located on the south side of third street between Baker and Cowls, nextdoor to the McMinnville Bank Building. His building still stands and is the

oldest brick building on 3rd street. In 1904 Schilling announced in thenewspaper “A telegram has been received from Mr. H.E.Dosch, Oregon commissioner

to the St. Louis fair, announcing that the gold medal for the best American beer has

been unanimously awarded to Henry Weinhard of Portland, Oregon. Remember that

the North Star Saloon is the only place in McMinnville that sells Weinhard’s

celebrated beer.” Weinhard was perhaps Oregon’s most successful, beginningoperations in the mid-1800’s. One of his bottles was uncovered in a locallandfill, likely sold at Schilling’s saloon (shown above right). The circa 1890photograph to the right shows Schilling’s Boss Saloon.

Prohibition! The Temperance Movement gained strong momentum in the earlytwentieth century, yet the ideology of suffragists often overshadowed the veryreal negative economic impacts of prohibition. In 1904, The Wholesale LiquorDealers’ Association released a half-page cartoon focusing on the negativeeconomic consequences imposed on the interests of Yamhill County hopgrowers as a result of prohibition. “The Prohibitionists, in their fanatical attempts

to prevent the sale of beer, do not care an atom if they sacrifice all the commercial and

business interests of the state to their pet hobby. They admit in one of their pamphlets

that the proposed local option law would begin operations in Oregon by putting 15,000

men out of employment.” Regardless of the negative impact on hop growers, brewers, and liquor distributors, prohibition measures passed in McMinnvillein 1909, and statewide by 1914.

S A L O O N S

Above:Schilling’sBossSaloon

Below:Ananti-prohibitioncartoonfrom1904



S

The People in McMinnville! In all honesty, the businesses mentioned in the preceding chaptershardly scratch the surface of the overall economic activity that poweredMcMinnville. While the dry goods merchants and grocery stores certainlywere vital industries on third street, they never would have existed if not forthe hundreds of hardworking men, women and children who made theirliving outside of the boundaries of the largest aggregate industries mentionedherein. The purchasing public is the mortar between the bricks, those whospent their money working hard as farmhands, railroad conductors, musicteachers and sheriffs, on the necessities and luxuries of life that the capitaliststructure brought to this thriving Oregon town. This chapter takes a look atthe people and businesses who did not quite fit into the larger aggregates, yetwhose economic importance is just as vital as each of their neighbors.

! Due to the central location in the lush Willamette Valley, much of McMinnville’s business came from nearby farmers, crop pickers, and thelike.The 1900 census lists a wide variety of related occupations, such as farmlaborer, farm owner, cattle feeder, stock dealer, hop merchant, and wheatmerchant. Also unmentioned in this review of the local economy are the manypeople who offered their services on a contractual basis, typically in theconstruction sector. For this category, the 1900 census mentions numerouscarpenters, drillers, a house painter, engineers, machinist, glazier, sign painter,lumber laborer, architect, paper hanger, brick maker, and contractors. Thenthere are those occupations that are government related, such as assessor,county treasurer, judge, sheriff, county clerk, mail contractor, city marshal,and post master. In a similar category are those who offered legal services,such as lawyers (at least six are mentioned in the census), abstractor,surveyor, and real estate agents. There are those who are related to theeducation sector, including school teachers, superintendent, art teacher, andcollege professors. Over twenty are listed simply as Capitalists, which is avery vague description and likely indicative of those who moved to Oregonwith high hopes and had yet to find their business niche (in a modern census,they would likely be listed as “unemployed”). Finally there are those in anoccupation completely of their own, for which the McMinnville 1900 censusmentions stenographer, dress maker, hack driver, bookkeeper, undertaker,housekeeper, telephone operator, sexton, musician, charwoman, taxidermist,gold miner, pastor (several listed), expressman, gunsmith, author, florist,

gardener, and best of all, salesman of pyrotechnics.! From this exhaustive list of occupations, one quickly can determinethat those industries analyzed at length are solely those that operated out of a building on main street and which had the propensity to advertise in localpapers. Yet without the vast assortment of people just described, none of these businesses would have lasted longer than a week.

On the pages that follow are a few noteworthy McMinnville businesses thatcould not be placed in a distinct category

The Purchasing Public

Above:McMinnvilleParade-goersandvconsumersinthelocaleconomy

Below:TheMcMinnvillePostOfficeemplhealthysupplyofworkers,asseeninthis

1900’sphotograph

Bottom:McMinnvilleCollegeandothersalwaysneededprofessorsandteache




White’s Restaurant

! Thomas A. White was born in Pennsylvania in 1866, growing up workingsummers on his father’s farm and winters as a logger. He came to Oregon in the early1890’s and initially found work in various construction jobs. In 1892 he took over anexisting McMinnville Restaurant, a business move that played true to his passion andability as restaurateur. As noted in a pamphlet outlining the history of Hotel Oregon,“White proved to be an excellent cook, hospitable host and capable business man. Healso had a green thumb, cultivating a small farm just outside McMinnville.” In an 1896

ad he advertised his location on third street, one door west of Burns and Daniels. Heprovided meals at all hours for 25 cents. In 1898 he remodeled the dining room,advertising it as the largest in McMinnville and “ fitted with best of taste.” The Yamhill

County Reporter noted a large ball put on by Mr. White in 1900: “The Fireman’s Ball on the

eve of Washington’s birthday was a big success in attendance and enjoyment. Mr. White gave

an oyster supper to over 70 people at his restaurant during the dancing.” ClearlyWhite’s Restaurant was a successful and established business inMcMinnville, yet Mr. White still had upward potential. In 1905 he gave uphis restaurant to become premier manager of the brand new HotelElberton. Due to his high stature in the city, Hotel Elberton immediately became a popular hangout for McMinnville residents as well as visitors.Mr. White kept true to his culinary prowess by preparing many dishes in

the hotel dining room with fresh ingredients from his nearby farm. Foryears White managed the Elberton and made it his home, reservingseveral guest rooms for his families’ personal use. The Hotel Elberton isnow the popular Hotel Oregon.

McMinnville Light and Water Company! Following a series of concerns over the quality of well-water, the cityof McMinnville formed the municipally-owned McMinnville Water and LightUtility Department in 1889. The combination water and light plant costroughly $20,000 to build and was located on the South Yamhill River near SWillow St., south of downtown. In those days the water of the South Yamhillwas described as “cool and sparkling”, a description that stands in

stark contrast to its characteristics today. The water was deliveredthroughout the city on what is known as a “direct pressure” system.As noted in The Oregonian’s Handbook of the Pacific Northwest, “Asufficient pressure is maintained in the city mains at all times toinsure ample protection against fire.” Fire hydrants were installedthroughout the city, yet the system did have some weaknesses. Ananecdote from the Reporter mentioned in 1898 that a crawfish wassucked out of the river, forced through the main, and ultimatelyplugged a nozzle with which the fire department was trying to putout a blaze. The plant provided some employment for locals, withWilliam Sliger as superintendent of the waterworks and LouisGranstrom chief engineer (in 1900). Water and light were originally

provided at a rate of 50 cents per month for banks and offices, $1 permonth for barber shops and public baths (with an additional 50 centsper tub), $1.50 for ice cream saloons, drug stores and grocery stores,$2 for saloons, photographic galleries and bakeries, and laundries at$3 per month. In April of 1900 the city installed twenty new electricarc lights throughout the town, an event that made front-page news.As the article noted, “ May the city’s light so shine that our neighbors

seeing our brilliancy and progressiveness may be constained to follow in our

footsteps.” In 1911 it was decided that the water system was tooprimitive for the growing town, leading city planners to look towards the hills for water.

P U R C H A S I N G P U B L I C




McMinnville Fence Works

! Several local vendors sold wire fencing, most notably O.G. Estes and F. W.Spencer. However, these businessmen acted as agents for extraneous wire fencecompanies as opposed to a local manufacturing firm. In contrast to these gentlemenwas a Mr. Reed, who ran the McMinnville Fence Works. The firm’s warehouse waslocated near the railroad tracks, just northeast of the original train station. In operationat least as early as 1898, the company advertised screen doors, screen wire and steelwire around the turn of the century in the Yamhill County Reporter. One of the

advertisements featured a cartoon of a pigthat was trapped inside (or perhapsoutside) of an “American Fence”, notingits disapproval with “Wooh! Reed hasfenced us out forever.” The sameadvertisement mentions that the businessmakes fences in six heights, both for ranch(likely barbed) and residence(advertisement seen at right). Anotheradvertisement proclaimed “ Make your wife

happy by getting her one of those wire wash

boards at the McMinnville fence works.” By

1904 the business is no longer listed indirectories.

Standard Soda Works! Not much is known about Standard Soda Works, which operated inMcMinnville at least as early as the early 1890’s. Located on second street betweenDavis and Evans (site of the current funeral home), the firm manufactured and bottleda variety of sodas that were distributed throughout McMinnville and surroundingtowns. An 1899 advertisement released by Orange Hodson notes that Standard SodaWorks uses “Pasteur-Filled water” as opposed to water from the South Yamhill. The

1900 census lists the soda manufacturer as William S. Wright, who was 29 at the time.The 1902 Sanborn map shows both the Standard Soda Works facility (at right) as well asa store on third and Cowls described as “Soda/ Billiards”. It is highly likely that thisstore as well as other local establishments offered the products of Standard Soda Works.The firm is still listed in the 1911 city directory, indicating that business was good. The

firm never advertised inthe Yamhill County

Reporter. In thephotograph seen at left,several Standard Soda bottles can clearly beseen on display at a 1912

Forth of July stand inMcMinnville. At rightare several wholeexamples that have beenfound in local dumps.The bottles have crowntops and are embossed“Standard Soda Works /McMinnville / Ore.”





Harness Makers

! McMinnville had a number of harness makersthroughout its early history. Perhaps the most successful wasElsia Wright, who owned and operated the McMinnville HarnessFactory. His factory was originally at the corner of 3rd and F Sts, but in 1893 he built the Wright building at the southeast corner of third and Davis. He operated a harness and farm implementstore out of the street level of the building. The basement of the

building housed a steam boiler that warmed practically all of third street, and in the second story was the County Abstractorsoffice headed by James M. Pugh. In 1902 Wright sold his businessto J.A. Young, which was certainly a good business moveconsidering the first automobile came to town within a year. By1911 all harness businesses had disappeared from McMinnville,and in their place came auto shops.

Bicycles and Automobiles! The bicycle craze was full-blown in McMinnville by the mid-1890’s, and toserve the repair needs of the hundreds of local bike riders was Jack Roscoe (seen atright). Roscoe opened a bicycle repair garage on third street close to the turn of thecentury, offering his services on every style bike from Rambler to Tribune, Columbia toHartford. He consistently advertised his business in the Reporter, mentioning both hisrepair services as well as enameling in black and maroon (see below). As lucrative as bicycles were for Roscoe, he was in the right business at exactly the right time. In 1902

Ralph Wortman brought the first automobile to town, the first drop in a waterfall of happy new car owners. Being the able mechanic thathe was, Roscoe quickly expanded his services toinclude car repairs. He struck pay dirt with thisnew idea, essentially becoming the local monopolistof auto shops. He is seen below right in a greatphotograph with Dr. George Wright, one of theearliest owners of automobiles in McMinnville. By1910 the number of cars in town was so great thatthe business leaders came together and put forth acommittee to pave the streets.


Above:ElsiaWrightandacirca1890advertis

Left:Thesetwoadvertisementsdatetothe1890’swhentheharnessmanufacturingind

wasstillstrong.W.J.Strong’sharnessmanufacturingbusinesswaslocatedatthecofthirdandBaker.R.Moore’sbusinesswa

locatedonBakerstreet.Aswastypicalwithbusiness,mostharnessmakersalsoofferedr

products,suchaswhipsandsaddles



Works Cited

Themajorityoftheinformationforthisworkcamefromavarietyof<ilesdispersedthroughouttheYamhillCounty

HistoricalSociety.ManyofthesedocumentscanbefoundintheMcMinnvillesectionoftheResearchRoom<iling

cabinets.ObituaryinformationwasalsoextensivelyusedandcaneasilybetrackedintheResearchRoom.Additionally,alloftheadvertisementsseenthroughoutthisworkcanbefoundonMicro<ilmattheLin<ieldCollegeLibrary.The

informationwasfoundonMicro<ilmoftheYamhillCountyReporterfrom1894to1902.Inadditiontothesetwo

generalsources,thefollowingspeci<icitemsalsoprovedhelpfulasresearchforthisproject.Alloftheseitemscanbe

foundattheYamhillCountyHistoricalSociety

“AphotographicHistoryofYamhillCounty”TheNewbergGraphic.2002.PublishedbyPedimentPublishing,

Vancouver.

Larsell,O.TheDoctorinOregon:AMedicalHistory.Binfords&Mort,Portland.1947.

“OneHundredYearsinMcMinnville.”FirstNationalBankofMcMinnville.1983

Rutherford,Janice.“McMinnville,Oregon:ourhistoricbuiltenvironment.”StateHistoricPreservationOf<ice

Stoller,Ruth.“OldYamhill:Theearlyhistoryofitstownsandcities.”Portland:BinfordandMortPublishing,2002.

“TheOregonian’sHandbookofthePaci<icNorthwest”c.1894

“TheMcMinnvilleStory”FirstNationalBankofMcMinnville.1973



A Word from the Author

! From my early childhood I have always been fascinated by local history. I wasraised in Gig Harbor on Washington’s Puget Sound, a territory that has hardly beeninhabited for more than 150 years by white settlers. While 150 years may seem aneternity for some, it truly is a relatively short period of time when considering that someparts of the world have thousands of years of civilized development. As such, I wasdrawn to the history of the Pacific Northwest largely because it was so accessible andpristine. My first passion was with railroads, and I spent countless hours paging throughold photographs of trains winding their way through the virgin Northwest woods. Thecontrast between raw wilderness and the manufactured product of man was awe-inspiring to me, a perfect representation of our attempt to harness the power and energyof our natural surroundings. Yet as time has shown, nature always trumps our materialaccomplishments. The railroads and logging towns that once twisted their waysthroughout the northwest are all but gone now, overgrown by the dense forest thatsurrounded them. Only the photographs remain, offering a glimpse and nothing more of a world that so very recently was the reality of this territory. I wanted a closer connectionto the past, but had no better way to approach it than from behind the black and whitepages of dusty books.!

When I was thirteen I was stumbling through the forest behind my house when Icame across a ditch filled with rusty farm implements and glass bottles. For reasons that Idid not initially understand, I dug through the ditch like a madman. I unearthed a troveof old bottles and china plates, silverware and glass lamps, all of which were straightfrom an era that was very disconnected from all that I was familiar with. Extensiveresearch of what I had found and the land it came from led me to the discovery that theditch was the garbage dump for a pioneer farm in Gig Harbor from the turn of thecentury to the 1930’s. Suddenly the past was no longer constrained to the pages of a book. It was raw and real and in my hands, an immediate and true connection to anotherreality. I had been bit by the “bottle bug”, a term that dump diggers use to describe theunwavering desire to connect to history through this unique medium. I immediatelywent to the local historical society and researched the location of other old farms, and in

due time I found and dug through those dumps too. The items that I found told the mosthonest story of history. Whereas written history typically only highlights the mostimportant events and people, analyzation of landfills provided me an unfiltered look atthe daily lifestyles of the common early Northwesterner.! As of 2013 I have dug a plethora of sites throughout Washington and Oregon.The majority of my local digs have uncovered items from about 1895 to 1910, many of them bottles from McMinnville businesses. I came to Linfield College in 2007 andmajored in economics and business, two disciplines which will allow me to excel in theprofessional world. Yet my passion for history has never wavered, propelling me to seek side projects that could allow me to develop upon this interest. In early 2010 Linfieldoffered me a Kemper Internship, a program which promotes students to get involvedwith local organizations. It was a natural choice for me to work with the Yamhill County

Historical Society on a project that would intertwine my knowledge garnered from localexcavations with the vast resources on file at the museum. The cumulation of resourcesresulted in the product now in your possession, a glimpse at the business environment of McMinnville from 1895 to 1910. This project combines an array of historic photographs,maps, advertisements, census information, anecdotes, and excavation data, to formulatea unique and more complete understanding of the local past than ever before. I hope thatyou enjoyed this alternative and updated examination of McMinnville during the primeof its early development, and that it provided a more intimate and less fragmentedperspective than ever before.

Above:TheCarltonConsolidRailroadasitwindsthroughth

range

Below:A1915viewoftheGigHfarmthatcatalyzedtheauth

Above:AtworkintheresearchtheYamhillCountyHistorical

Below:Theauthorposeswithaof1890’sbottlesandartifactsex

nearMcMinnville,Orego

mcminnville oregon business history 1895-1910

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